Comparison

Shogi Wars vs A guide to Shogi

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Shogi Wars

Experience the strategic depth of Japanese chess with this app, offering fast-paced online and offline matches for all skill levels. Earn official diplomas and enjoy a realistic Shogi experience with advanced AI and customizable game modes.

Highlights
  • Online and offline Shogi matches
  • World-class AI opponent
  • Multiple time controls (10MIN, 3MIN, 10SEC)
  • Official rank system (dan/kyu)
  • Apply for official dan diplomas
  • Fancy graphics and performance
Read full description

History of the fastest and the most furious entertaining Shogi begins here! Shogi Wars, officially approved by Japan Shogi Association, is a completely new type of Shogi app with fancy performance, fantastic graphics and the world-class AI. This app defies the common wisdom that Shogi is only meant for certain experts, allowing everyone from a novice to an expert to enjoy speedy match-ups online with different time controls: 10MIN, 3MIN, and 10SEC. The app also provides offline match-ups with computers. And with the rank (dan/kyu) of Shogi Wars, players can apply for Menjo (dan diploma: from 6 dan to 5 kyu) that is also officially approved by Japan Shogi Association. So come and experience a high realistic sensation of Shogi. ■Charge free to 3 battle a day [Subscription] •Premium ¥600 - unlimited play for monthly - kishin •Super Premium ¥960 - unlimited play for monthly - kishin - analysis ticket - voice select on game - play professional shogi player - kishin Quiz •Kishin Learning ¥1200 - Unlimited use of Shogi videos and learning contents - analysis ticket ■About Subscription •Subscription automatically renews monthly. •Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. •Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal •Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. ■How to restore your status of subscription You can restore the status of subscription by logging in with your account at shogiwars. Please log in to iTunes with the same Apple ID as you purchased subscription before playing Shogi Wars. ■How to turned off auto-renewal subscription Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/HT202039 ■Terms and Privacy Policy https://heroz.co.jp/privacy/ https://shogiwars.heroz.jp/wars-terms.html ■Language Japanese English ■Shogi Wars official X account @warsminamin https://x.com/warsminamin ■Inquiry https://support.heroz.jp/shogi_wars/Contact/

About

A guide to Shogi

Learn the rules of Shogi, Japan's traditional board game. Practice your skills by playing against the computer. This app offers a comprehensive introduction to the game.

Highlights
  • Learn Shogi rules
  • Play against computer
  • Traditional Japanese board game
Features
Read full description

It is an application to learn "Shogi" is a traditional board game of Japan. It's possible to learn a rule of Shogi. And you can play a game with a computer.

Screenshots

Shogi Wars4 screens
A guide to Shogi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: A guide to Shogi at none against Shogi Wars's 10. Shogi Wars's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 8 months). On price, ratings volume, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Shogi Wars sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. A guide to Shogi asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shogi Wars holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 136 and 92 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Shogi Wars's written reviews are positive against 38% of A guide to Shogi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shogi Wars ships an update every 4 weeks, A guide to Shogi every 8 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shogi Wars versus A guide to Shogi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShogi WarsA guide to Shogi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (136 ratings) — better4.5 (92 ratings)
Positive reviews46.5% of reviews — better37.5% of reviews
Number of ratings136 — better92
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size318 MB42 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperHEROZken1

Customer experience

Shogi Wars

All ratings135 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.7%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive46.5%
Neutral7.0%
Negative46.5%

A guide to Shogi

All ratings92 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative56.3%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Shogi Wars

Subscriptions3
  • Premium (Subscription)2 variants$5.491 Month
  • Kishin Learning (Subscription)$7.991 Month
  • Super Premium (Subscription)2 variants$8.491 Month
One-time5
  • Kishin×1$0.99
  • Premium (30 days)$4.99
  • Kishin×13$9.99
Show 2 more
  • Kishin analysis ticket x 26$9.99
  • Kishin×166$99.99
None

A guide to Shogi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shogi Wars free?
Shogi Wars is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is A guide to Shogi free?
A guide to Shogi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Shogi Wars or A guide to Shogi?
Shogi Wars is rated higher. Shogi Wars averages 4.7 out of 5 from 136 ratings, while A guide to Shogi averages 4.5 from 92 ratings.
Do Shogi Wars or A guide to Shogi have ads?
A guide to Shogi shows ads; Shogi Wars does not.
Which is updated more often, Shogi Wars or A guide to Shogi?
Shogi Wars ships an update every 4 weeks, and A guide to Shogi every 8 months. Most recently, Shogi Wars was updated on November 6, 2026 and A guide to Shogi on November 6, 2026.

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