Wolf

Wolf is an educational simulation for DOS where the player directly controls a wolf. The experience is structured around both open-ended life simulation and timed scenarios with specific goals. Three wolf species, each with a corresponding region, are represented: arctic, timber, and Great Plains.

Core survival activities include hunting for food, which ranges from instantly killing small prey to challenging confrontations with larger animals where injury is possible. Success in these encounters is influenced by the wolf's strength and the support of nearby pack members. Sustaining injuries is a risk, but wounds heal automatically if the wolf maintains a well-fed state.

Navigation and perception are central mechanics. The wolf is directed via the mouse cursor at various speeds, with running depleting stamina. A suite of senses, including hearing, smell, sight, and tracking, provides information on the direction and nature of nearby objects like animals or water. A unique "sixth sense" specifically alerts the wolf to the presence of humans, who are extremely dangerous and often armed with lethal rifles.

Social dynamics within the wolf pack involve challenging other members to rise in hierarchy. These confrontations limit player control to adjusting the wolf's tail position, signaling aggression or submission. Achieving alpha status allows for mating with the opposite-sex alpha, leading to pregnancy and the birth of cubs. The player must then provision these cubs with food until they mature into full pack members after a year.

Additional threats include hunters in aircraft, whose shadows on the ground must be avoided to prevent instant death. The game incorporates educational content through context-specific information and features an interactive encyclopedia detailing wolf biology and social structure.