Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf Game Cover

"Learn Chess with Dr. Wolf" is a beginner-friendly chess coaching game with fantastic mechanics and wonderful visuals. The game is filled with humor, but its buggy performance can be frustrating at times. Players can improve their chess skills through step-by-step lessons on how to play and win.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Phone
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,206 reviews
graphics28 positive mentions
monetization35 negative mentions
  • The app provides excellent coaching and teaches chess fundamentals in a clear and engaging manner.
  • Dr. Wolf's interactive style makes learning chess fun and feels like having a personal tutor.
  • The app allows users to review their mistakes and learn from them, significantly improving their chess skills.
  • Many features and advanced lessons are locked behind a subscription paywall, which can be frustrating for users.
  • The app sometimes suggests illogical moves that can lead to losses, which undermines the learning experience.
  • Users have reported bugs, such as the app freezing or not allowing moves, which disrupts gameplay.
  • monetization76 mentions

    The monetization model of the app has received mixed reviews, with many users appreciating the absence of ads, which enhances the overall experience. However, there is significant criticism regarding the transition to a subscription-based model, with some users expressing a preference for ad-supported options instead. While the lack of intrusive ads is a major plus, the paywall for premium features has left some users feeling frustrated and seeking alternative monetization methods.

    • β€œI love this app because there are no ads to disturb you while paying.”
    • β€œNo ads or overly restrictive paywalls, only frequent reminders about the paid features (which I might take on since with some coaching I'd expect to improve).”
    • β€œGreat app beautifully teaches all concepts of chess and there is no in-app purchase or ads.”
    • β€œThis move from microtransactions to an endless subscription is just toxic.”
    • β€œEverything is hidden behind a paywall, you can get a 7-day trial but even that's not enough and the amount of money is no less too. I hope you guys remove the paywall and add advertisements after each match or something.”
    • β€œI installed this app thinking it was going to help me learn chess, but the in-app purchases ruined the whole experience.”
  • graphics60 mentions

    The graphics of the chess app receive mixed reviews, with many users appreciating the simple and aesthetically pleasing design that enhances focus and learning. However, there is a consistent call for improvements, particularly for more diverse graphical options, such as 3D views and better piece designs, to enhance the overall experience. While some users find the current graphics adequate, others feel that upgrades could attract a wider audience and improve usability.

    • β€œThe aesthetics of the game are great, and I'm learning lots about the basics and more complicated strategies.”
    • β€œGreat graphics, fluid animation, good color scheme, and very intuitive and personal coaching ever given by a mobile app!”
    • β€œUser-friendly tools and very eye-soothing graphics, great work.”
    • β€œThe visuals are a bit plain, but very simple to follow.”
    • β€œPoor graphic interface and asks for nearly 1500 INR yearly for giving training.”
    • β€œSuggests losing moves, unintuitive UI, terrible graphics make the board harder to read.”
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its educational value, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for beginners while effectively teaching chess mechanics and strategies. Users appreciate the real-time feedback and coaching features, which help improve their skills, although some note inconsistencies in pawn movement and the need for better hints at higher difficulty levels. Overall, the app is considered a valuable tool for learning and enhancing chess gameplay, despite some minor criticisms.

    • β€œGameplay mode vs the AI gives you feedback on each move and confirms when you apply lessons correctly.”
    • β€œThe app is a decent tool for learning how to play chess as it slowly introduces mechanics of the game and teaches them with challenges that get progressively more difficult; I would recommend it as a tool for starting out.”
    • β€œGreat chess app, very helpful for beginners and for those who want to improve more on strategic gameplay.”
    • β€œThe pawns kill diagonally 1 square but sometimes it kills horizontally 1 square which disturbs the complete gameplay.”
    • β€œIf you're looking for an app that will teach you about the pieces, how they move, chess mechanics, and then cheats so you can't ever win, this one's for you.”
    • β€œMan loved this app so much but if I played by only helping hints I always lose at expert level, please help me out and can't tackle your expert level gameplay.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is primarily delivered through the character of Dr. Wolf, whose sarcastic jokes and friendly demeanor make learning chess enjoyable and engaging. Players appreciate his humorous commentary and relatable teaching style, which not only entertains but also enhances their understanding of the game. Overall, the blend of humor and educational content is highly praised, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

    • β€œBut this does it with a humorous thread of sarcasm.”
    • β€œHe makes funny jokes, provides interesting historical facts about how the game has changed over the centuries, and consistently ties good strategy into the 'story' of chess, which makes things easier for me to understand.”
    • β€œSome of the comments the instructors make crack me up, especially if you give yourself a funny name.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for frequent glitches and freezing issues, with players reporting problems such as the app not opening, random freezes during gameplay, and the AI making illegal moves. While some users still enjoy the game, these technical issues significantly detract from the overall experience.

    • β€œWhen I first tried it, I loved it, but now it's been a while since I last played and the game does not even open anymore; the loading screen just freezes no matter how long I wait.”
    • β€œEnjoying the game, but many times I'm about to win, it freezes and says to wait my turn.”
    • β€œFreezes too often.”
  • music6 mentions

    Users express a desire for background music in the game, noting that the current lack of music detracts from the experience. Many suggest that incorporating soothing genres like jazz could enhance the overall atmosphere and provide a more immersive learning environment. Overall, there is a strong call for the addition of a soundtrack to improve gameplay.

    • β€œLearning chess while listening to jazz music takes you to another level of psychological calm and lightens your mood.”
    • β€œWhat I suggest to the developer of this app is adding some good background music.”
    • β€œI only wish there was some music, and different boards and chess pieces.”
    • β€œPlease add a soundtrack.”
    • β€œAdd some music.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players describing it as heart-wrenching yet surprisingly wholesome, particularly in relation to the character of Dr. Wolf. Overall, the game fosters a sense of warmth and emotional connection, making it a memorable experience.

    • β€œThat's heart-breaking.”
    • β€œDr. Wolf is making me a wholesome player.”
    • β€œAmazing and surprisingly wholesome.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    Users consistently praise the atmosphere of the chess app, highlighting its pleasant and engaging environment, enhanced by well-crafted writing and real-time commentary. The overall experience is described as superior to many paid alternatives, with a strong emphasis on the quality of the lessons and the supportive instructional tone.

    • β€œA really terrific chess app - I love the instructor, the sentiment, and the whole atmosphere is terrific.”
    • β€œThe writing is very well done, the gameplay with real-time comments is very resourceful, and the overall atmosphere is pleasant.”
    • β€œThe app has a great atmosphere; the lessons are great and overall much better than some paid apps.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is enhanced by a humorous and engaging teacher who weaves historical facts and strategic insights into the narrative, making the learning experience more relatable and enjoyable. Players appreciate the storytelling approach, which helps clarify concepts and maintain interest throughout the lessons.

    • β€œHe makes funny jokes, provides interesting historical facts about how the game has changed over the centuries, and consistently ties good strategy into the story of chess, which makes things easier for me to understand.”
    • β€œDo I need to play to accomplish the mission to play the next lesson?”
    • β€œKinda storyteller type teacher β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ»πŸ₯ΊπŸ€β€
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users noting that it is well managed and delivers excellent performance, meeting or exceeding the required performance standards.

    • β€œWell managed and very good performance.”
    • β€œScore performance required.”
    • β€œExcellent performance.”
    • β€œThe game requires a lot of performance optimization, and it feels like it was rushed out without proper testing.”
    • β€œI constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which makes the gameplay frustrating.”
    • β€œThe optimization is so poor that even high-end systems struggle to maintain a stable frame rate.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat tedious, particularly due to the repetitive clicking required after each move. However, this process also encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving, making it a mentally engaging experience.

    • β€œOne small tip though: it gets a bit tedious having to click 'next' after every move in a course.”
    • β€œI knew nothing before, and now I'm grinding my brain, thinking about the best moves.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users highlight the high replayability of the app, noting that lessons are easily understandable and can be replayed, enhancing the learning experience. The integration of gameplay with instructional content further boosts its value, making it a worthwhile investment for ongoing skill development.

    • β€œThis is amazing! It gives you such good lessons that are incredibly easy to understand. It provides hints if you don't understand, and the lessons are replayable. You can play a game of chess while the app explains things to you. You get almost through beginner difficulty when you have to pay, but it is only €40 per year, which is an amazing deal.”
    • β€œReplay value is very high!”
    • β€œThe game lacks significant changes in each playthrough, making it feel repetitive after a few rounds.”
    • β€œOnce you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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