If you are making game assets,use the highpoly lowpoly workflow,the normal gives your models lot details which improves the models appear once. Don't use smart materials, you can use it where you just want to add quick textures and not spend alot of time,make your own smart materials,this gives a complete story behind the model and makes the model look way better compared to just slapping pre made smart materials. Use high resolution settings and enable anti-aliasing option to 64 samples,this gives your models crisp and clean edges and removes any jagged shading on the edges.