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Review by
Kevin Sullivan
About this game
The Origin client is self-updating software that allows users to download games, expansion packs, content booster packs and patches from Electronic Arts. It shows the status of components available. The Origin client is designed to be similar to its competitor, Steam. The Origin In Game overlay client can be disabled while playing games. The client also features chat features such as a Friends List and a group chat options (implemented in version 9.3). Client and download performance has been patched and improved in past updates. EA released a subscription service for accessing and playing their games on PC in 2016. Users can choose between paying a monthly or yearly subscription fee to access a large collection of EA titles (known as The Vault). Origin Access subscribers also get a 10% discount on all Origin purchases. Starting in March 2018, Origin Access starting offering titles from Warner Bros . Interactive Entertainment and was looking to add other publishers' titles, including those from indie games.
If you have always sought to have great games within reach of just a few clicks, Origin is your platform. The website is the access to a varied quantity of Electronic Arts titles. It allows you to buy and download both games and extra content. It also offers the possibility of early access to video games that are close to launch. If you are a member of the store you will get significant discounts.
Origin has a series of advantages such as the possibility of storing a large part of its products in the cloud and thus being able to play them wherever you want. It also has an offline mode and an optimized download service so that when downloading a game you do it as quickly as possible.
The Origin community is another of its strengths, you will have the opportunity to broadcast your games live and connect with all your friends. The store offers direct access to Twitch.
Ratings and reviews
Pros & Cons
Pros
- EA Access provides gamers with access to a large number of games for a reasonable price ($4.99 a month and $29.99 for a year)
- The ten hour trial you get for some EA games. For their larger releases (i.e. Madden, Mass Effect, Battlefront, etc), subscribers get a ten hour trial of the game that they can access five days prior to the release of the game
- There are also a few games in the vault that you cannot purchase digitally outside of EA Access.
Cons
- Many of the sports games have at least three iterations in the vault and two (Madden and FIFA) have four.
- Many of the games in the vault are sports games or shooters, which may turn some gamers off
- The DLC for the games in the vault is not included, which can actually make some of the games hard to play.
Tips
3 Tricks for Origin you didn't know
| Trick | Description |
|---|---|
1Reveal Hidden Games | Sometimes games are hidden in your Origin library. To reveal them, go to 'My Game Library' and select 'Show hidden games'. |
2Optimize Download Speed | You can improve your download speed in Origin settings. Go to 'Origin' > 'Application Settings' > 'Downloads' and adjust the download restrictions. |
3Enable Beta Updates | Get early access to new features by enabling beta updates. Go to 'Origin' > 'Application Settings' > 'General' and enable 'Participate in Origin beta'. |
Direct competitor: Steam
Steam is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation, offering a wide range of games, software, and community features.
| Feature |  Origin | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| UI | Modern and intuitive | Slightly older, but functional |
| Features | Origin Access subscription service, cloud saves | Extensive community features, Workshop integration |
| Performance | Solid, occasional connection issues | Very stable and reliable |
| Price | Game prices vary, subscription service available | Frequent sales and discounts |
| Support | Live chat and email support | Extensive knowledge base and community forums |