Brain Gain: IQ Training Games

What it does

Brain Gain is a mobile app designed to be a comprehensive mental wellness tool. It combines a wide variety of brain training games aimed at improving cognitive functions like memory, focus, and problem-solving with a suite of mental health self-check tests. These tests cover topics like depression, anxiety, and ADHD, offering users insights into their mental state. The app personalizes a daily workout plan based on the user's goals.

Where it shines

Brain Gain stands out in its clear, structured approach to user engagement. The onboarding is a great example, quickly moving from a value-prop carousel (00:08) to a personalization quiz (00:29) that makes the user feel understood. A key moment is the use of a loading screen to display user testimonials (00:57), which builds trust just before the paywall appears. The game library itself is well-organized, with each game getting a brief, animated tutorial (01:44) that makes it easy to jump in and play without friction.

UX highlights

Just-in-time tutorials: Instead of a long initial tutorial, each game type presents a short, animated "How to Play" screen (e.g., 01:44, 02:18), teaching the user the core mechanic right when they need it.
Clear game categorization: The main games screen (02:54) is neatly organized into categories like Memory, Focus, and Problem Solving, which helps users find games that match their goals.
Dual-purpose content: The app effectively splits its offering into two main tabs: Games for training and Tests for self-assessment. This clear separation helps manage user expectations.
Animated feedback: The app uses subtle but effective animations, like the confetti burst when a workout is ready (01:35) and the 'Well done!' messages after completing a puzzle (02:03), to provide positive reinforcement.
Interactive paywall: The free trial is activated via a toggle switch (01:09), which is a more engaging interaction than a standard pre-selected option and gives the user a sense of agency.

Monetization & growth

A soft paywall is presented immediately after the onboarding quiz (01:05). The screen lists key benefits of the premium plan and offers two primary subscription options: yearly and weekly. A prominent "SAVE 91%" badge highlights the value of the annual plan. The most notable feature is the "Enable Free Trial" toggle, which modifies the weekly plan into a 3-day free trial, after which it auto-renews. The user subscribes through a standard iOS payment sheet (01:18).

Who it’s for

The app appears to be for adults who are interested in maintaining or improving their cognitive health and gaining a better understanding of their mental well-being. It targets users who enjoy casual puzzle games but are also looking for a structured way to challenge their minds. The inclusion of self-check tests for conditions like ADHD and depression suggests it also appeals to individuals seeking preliminary insights into their mental state in a private, accessible way.

Notes & opportunities

While the app is generally polished, the connection between the quiz answers and the 'first workout' could be made more explicit. After personalization, the user is shown their first game, but it's not immediately clear how their quiz answers influenced that choice. Furthermore, after completing a test like the Depression self-check (06:11), the app provides a result but could offer clearer next steps or pathways to relevant content within the app, such as games focused on mindfulness or focus.