Air is a visual novel officially called "ren'ai (love) adventure game". The gameplay is simple and traditional: you read the text, watch the scenes that unfold in front of you, and take decisions during conversations, that will determine the character of your relationships with the girls and the outcome of the story.

In the game, you play as three different characters through three different scenarios. The first one is the Dream Scenario. You play as Yukito, a travelling entertainer. You carry around a doll and move it by using your "magic". When you were young, your mother told you a story about a mysterious girl who lives on the opposite side of the sky. Now you travel constantly, trying to find this girl of your dreams. You meet three girls, Misuzu, Kano, and Minagi, and depending on your actions, will have different relationships with them. Once you finish the Dream Scenario, you unlock the Summer Scenario, which is set in 994 AD and in which you play as a nobleman Ryūya. The last one is the Air Scenario, in which you'll play as Misuzu's pet crow, and see the events of the first scenario from the crow's perspective.

Air was originally released for PC as an adult game with erotic scenes. There is also an "all ages" version for PC, and the console ports also don't have erotic content. The PC versions do not contain voice acting as the console ports do.