The first thing I do in any new game: the settings menu

It sounds boring, but the settings menu is where I start every review. It tells you a lot about how much the developers cared, and it can transform how a game feels on your specific phone.

First stop is graphics. Dropping effects or capping frame rate can turn a stuttering, overheating mess into something smooth and cool. On older hardware this is the difference between playable and abandoned.

Next I check the audio and notification options. A game that respects you lets you mute it fast and stop it from pestering you with pushes all day. If those toggles are missing, that's a small red flag.

Finally, controls. Can I move the buttons? Swap tilt for taps? Adjust sensitivity? Games that offer this care about players with different hands and different phones. I always mention what I found, because your ideal settings are half the experience.