How to pip your pals to the post in Running with Friends - hints, tips, and tricks

Level with me, reader: how are you getting on with Running with Friends?

It can be tough to accumulate an impressive high score and beat your opponents sometimes, can't it?

What you need is an easily digestible strategy guide from your trusted pals at Pocket Gamer.

You know, one in which you learn advanced techniques for grabbing the most stars per run, as well as getting the most Gems out of your time with the game.

Ready to go? Then, let's begin...

Be in control

You need to get really comfortable with the controls before you'll be competitive in Running with Friends. So, ensure that you're ultra-familiar with swiping up to jump, down to slide, and the different types of obstacles in your path. Practise moving left and right quickly, too, as some sequences at high speed will require extreme dexterity.

With these basics down, start looking for ways to use the controls to your advantage. Don't just try and survive; start attacking the routes aggressively.

You can do this in a number of ways, but you need to be smart about turning the game's difficulties on their head.

For example: there are moments where you'll run up against several bulls in front of you. The automatic response is to avoid them, which you can do by either moving between channels as you run past them or by leaping over them.

However, the correct response when encountering this obstacle is to think: "how can I use this to my advantage?"

You can easily turn this hazard into an 'opportunity' by timing your jump, landing on one of the bulls, and then moving on. Or if you're really after the big points, you'll bounce off of the first bull and onto another by swiping to another channel.

Back alley shenanigans

Remember, too, that you can smash through some hazards for extra points. You can jump on or slide through other runners for extra points, charge hay bales, and destroy swathes of barrels and crates.

On a similar note of bravery: whenever you see a shortcut coming up, go take it. These sequences are really tricky, but the points pay-off is worth it.

Corridors wind a lot, so be prepared to swipe accurately and repeatedly. Oh, and because of blind turns caused by high walls, you need to be ready to react very quickly to whatever lies around the next bend.

Since your only outcomes in these areas are 'success' or 'failure', you'll find it very tough to miss any stars. By the end of a run through a shortcut, you will have boosted your score via a huge bonus.

Bonus time

For the best gameplay experience, you'll want a fair few games on the go at once. Some of these games will be with friends with whom you can build rivalries. Some will be with random opponents against whom you can practise (and increase your stock of Gems for the matches you really care about).

You get a set of Bonuses for a set fee of Gems, and you can then upgrade them with more. You can increase the number of points you gain per obstacle smashed via upgrades, for instance. And you'll want to keep in mind which ones you have active so that you can aim for those specific obstacles during that attempt.

Alternatively, you can save up a bunch of Gems and purchase everything you possibly can per round to give you the edge over your opponent without needing to concentrate too hard on pinpointing certain items. You'll need a lot of Gems to do this. But if you're really struggling, and absolutely must win at all costs, it's a valid tactic.