How to read a mobile game review before you download

A review is only useful if you know how to read it. The first thing I look for in any review is whether the writer actually finished the early hours, because that is where most games either hook you or lose you.

Skip past the plot summary and hunt for the parts about controls, performance, and how the free version behaves. Those three things decide whether a game is playable on your specific phone.

Watch for vague praise. 'Stunning graphics' tells you nothing if the review never mentions the frame rate. Specifics are the sign someone really played.

Finally, remember that a score is one opinion. If a reviewer hates the exact things you love, their 3.5 might be your 5. Use reviews to spot dealbreakers, then trust your own thumbs.