Check the settings before you play

It is tempting to skip straight into a new game and start playing. I do it too. But five minutes in the settings menu first will save you a lot of grief, and most people never open it at all.

Start with graphics and frame rate. Match them to your phone rather than leaving the default, which is often set too high for mid-range devices. Then look at controls — resize buttons, pick your steering style, remap anything that feels awkward.

Audio matters more than people think. Being able to mute music but keep sound effects, or the other way around, is what makes a game playable in public. Good games give you that split control.

Finally, check for a battery or performance mode. A surprising number of games hide a big power-saving option in a submenu. It is the single easiest thing you can do to play longer without carrying a charger everywhere.