The harrowing events unfold over a 12 hour period, featuring a unique gameplay dynamic which enables the six central characters to experience events across the same timeline but from their own distinct viewpoints. The player controls each character individually, with the focus automatically shifting to a new character at key moments which are unfolded through cut scenes. By switching between the characters, their individual tales are woven together to create an overall picture of the events that happened during the crisis. The player will also retrospectively view events through the eyes of another character and is therefore not only a participant in the events, but a spectator as well. Furthermore, actions performed as one character affect the progress of others and players must successfully utilize the strengths of each in order to advance.

1. Play as six different characters and experience the game from each of their perspectives.
2. Three members of the covert operations team:
3. Kyle Rivers – the leader of the squad with an experienced combat background
4. Jack Hooper – the youngest and most inexperienced member of the team for whom this is the first combat mission
5. Ed Reagan – the squad's bomb disposal specialist who is also formidable in close combat situations
6. Three civilians with distinct agendas and views on the events:
7. Tanya Shaw – a terrified secretary whose only desire is to escape safely
8. Dave Wilson – a security guard who was overlooked by the terrorists; his fierce determination drives him as he fights to rescue his co-workers
9. Ben Harrison – a news cameraman who is grounded when his helicopter is shot down by the terrorists; his quest is to obtain breaking news coverage, however dangerous it may be
10. Diverse gameplay – exploration, puzzle-solving, dynamic environmental interaction, and a variety of sub missions including bomb diffusion and hostage rescue
11. Objective based gameplay progression
12. Sophisticated graphics – realistic and highly interactive environments, advanced character animations with well defined emotions, and gripping cut scenes that link the storylines together
13. Progressive tutorial – instructs players on how to utilize the vast arsenal of weaponry and equipment
14. Fully controllable camera – moves fluidly around characters to rapidly survey surroundings and enable them to change tactics accordingly