Origin

CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are practically obsolete nowadays when it comes to PC gaming, although they are still heavily used in the console industry. However, since basically every computer is connected to the Internet, it’s only natural to be able to purchase and download your games from an online source, rather than order them from retailers, or even having to leave the house to get them.

Origin is a standalone platform developed by EA in order to distribute their games in a direct-to-drive format, which means that you can buy items and download them in a matter of minutes, with the possibility to access your library from any computer and anywhere in the world. Obviously, this sounds a lot like what Steam does, and in many ways it is exactly that, with only a few key differences to set it apart.

To begin with, there’s a heavy inclination toward EA published video games, which is only natural considering the circumstances. But, given the fact that EA has a massive list of titles out on the market, you still have hundreds of items to choose from. You also get deals and bundles that are not available anywhere else, as well as promotions to your favorite EA games.

Besides the obvious store-related features, the application itself comes with a few modern elements as well, which aim to provide you with everything you need to enjoy your experience. As such, you can create a friend network and interact with the Origin community, as well as collect achievements and organize your game library. However, one of the more appealing features is the fact that you can easily stream your gameplay sessions on Twitch, using the built-in capabilities of the application.

Stability wise, you can generally rest assured that you are safe from random crashes or any kind of annoying bugs. Even if some do happen to sneak in, the tool is constantly updated by the developers and kept clean of any errors. The user interface is definitely a plus, because it’s incredibly easy to figure out how to unleash the full potential of the application, especially if you are familiar with similar services.

Although it falls short when it comes to the number of video games it provides you with, Origin is definitely a must-have for any gamer, especially if you are constantly on the lookout for the best deals. However, this is not the place to find indie productions, so if you are interested in that kind of market, stick with the competition.