Elevate - Brain Training Games

What it does

Elevate is a mobile brain training app designed to improve cognitive functions. It offers a suite of short, daily games focused on enhancing skills like writing, reading, speaking, math, and memory. The app creates a personalized training program for each user based on their stated goals and performance in an initial assessment, aiming to make learning a consistent and engaging habit.

Where it shines

Elevate's strength lies in its structured approach to self-improvement. The app's proprietary "Elevate Proficiency Quotient" (EPQ) system, visible on the progress screen (09:09), is a standout feature. It translates abstract skills into a tangible score from 0-5000, giving users a clear and motivating benchmark to track their growth over time. Furthermore, the games themselves are polished and thematic. The "Agility" reading game, for example, begins with a satisfying rocket launch animation (05:58), turning a simple vocabulary exercise into an immersive experience.

UX highlights

Data-Driven Onboarding: The initial setup includes an interactive skill test (01:14), making the promise of a personalized plan feel credible and earned.
Clear Performance Feedback: After each game, a detailed summary screen (05:20) breaks down the user's score, accuracy, and difficulty progression, providing immediate and actionable insights.
Playful Progress Indicators: The "Brevity" game uses a tangram shape at the bottom of the screen that forms a new picture with each correct answer (04:54), adding a layer of visual delight to the gameplay loop.
Widget Integration: The app encourages users to add home screen widgets for streaks and daily words (03:49), effectively extending the app's presence and encouraging daily engagement.
Clean and Focused UI: The main dashboard (04:02) presents a clear path for the user with a recommended daily workout, avoiding overwhelming them with too many choices initially.

Monetization & growth

Elevate uses a soft paywall model, presenting its subscription offer at the end of a long and value-rich onboarding process. The paywall screen itself (03:15) is well-designed, featuring a prominent discount for the annual plan, a user testimonial, and a clear call-to-action to start a 7-day free trial. This strategy ensures the user understands the app's value and feels invested before being asked to pay. The app also includes a referral feature (08:59) that allows premium users to share a 1-week guest pass, encouraging word-of-mouth growth.

Who it’s for

Elevate is ideal for individuals looking to sharpen their cognitive skills in a structured and engaging way. This includes students wanting to improve their academic performance, professionals aiming to enhance their communication and analytical abilities, and anyone interested in maintaining mental acuity through daily challenges. The bite-sized nature of the games makes it suitable for users with busy schedules who want to fit learning into short breaks.

Notes & opportunities

The comprehensive onboarding is a double-edged sword. While it creates a strong sense of personalization, its length could be a point of friction for users seeking immediate access. Additionally, the main dashboard can feel somewhat sparse until the user completes several workouts and unlocks more content and stats. Introducing a more dynamic home screen or showcasing a wider variety of games earlier could potentially improve initial engagement for new users.