Horizon Wars: Zero Dark is a science-fiction skirmish-level tabletop miniatures wargame. It allows for solitaire, co-operative, and competitive versus play. Players create a team of operatives, customizing both their statistics and their upgrades (ranging from leadership ability and medical skills to advanced weaponry and other high-tech gadgets). The adversary, the Red Force, is controlled through an AI and a standard deck of playing cards. Scenarios are objective-based and range from one-off encounters to narrative campaigns, complete with character progression.