PC gaming's many launchers, reviewed for 2024: Steam still puts the rest to shame
Let's put a score on them all—the good, the bad, and the GOGly.
Valve has made it so (mostly) every Windows game can be played on Linux, without needing explicit support. It's a game changer (literally) and the impact will probably be better understood in a few years.
Getting away from things like Microsoft is important. "But doesn't it mean Valve is the new boss?" Sort of. But Proton is FOSS, so no. They make it the most convenient, though.
No mention of Playnite, the launcher that GoG Galaxy tried to be.
GOG Galaxy is such a massive letdown. The stores plugins are barebones and they barely work, they keep disconnecting all the time, not to mention they didn't deliver most of what was promised (cross launcher chats when?).
I love GOG but yeah, Galaxy is awful. It's not obvious how to actually start a game for one. That seems like the most important feature!
Playnite is more of a launcher of launchers though, isn't it?
Nah. It'll run another launcher for the purpose of running a game, but it's intent is the game, not the other launcher, and that's only where strictly necessary. It won't run the launcher for things like itch games, using Galaxy can be disabled for GoG (you don't even have to install it in the first place, actually), and there's a plugin that uses Legendary to totally replace EGS. Then, on top of that, it's also an emulator launcher and can launch manually-added games, no other launcher required.
As a post-Microsoft gamer: no.
Okay... EGS doesn't work on Linux either, yet it's still on the list, so... What's your point? Doesn't seem like it applies here.
Steam has had years of first mover advantage. If it wasnt ahead it would be shameful.
There's truth to that, but there also isn't really any reason why we couldn't have a second exceptional launcher and store for games. It would be nice if we did.
Laughs in lutris
Steam has a few advantages over nothing. Specifically cloud saves and steam input. Everything else is a pure detractor
