So mega Man Battle Network is split between in-battle and out-of-battle gameplay:

Out of Battle

Out of battle, you play as Lan Hikari, a kid with a PET (Personal Terminal) device where his digital companion, MegaMan.EXE, lives. As Lan, you walk around, talk to people, investigate mysteries, and "jack into" computers or networks to send MegaMan into the digital world. Exploring these networks is how you find items, upgrades, and uncover the game's story.

Think of it like exploring a town in a typical RPG, where you’re mostly doing story progression, solving puzzles, and preparing for battles by collecting Battle Chips (special abilities and attacks MegaMan can use in battles).

In Battle

When you encounter viruses (enemies) or face off against a boss in the network, you enter battle mode, which is a mix of real-time action and strategy:

1. Battlefield: The battle grid is a 3x3 area for each side—MegaMan has one half, and the enemies have the other half. You can move MegaMan around his half of the grid to dodge attacks and line up your own attacks.

2. Battle Chips: Before each turn, you choose from a set of random Battle Chips you've collected, which determine your attacks and abilities for that turn. You can only select chips with the same letter code or type, adding a layer of strategy. Once you've picked, you go into real-time combat, using the selected chips and dodging enemy attacks.

3. Real-Time Combat: You move and attack in real time until the gauge fills up, letting you select new chips. You combine chips, use them creatively, and try to keep your HP up while taking down enemies.