GameFly‘s new PC client has seemed like a long time coming: paid subscription streaming services have been popular for years, and digital distribution has been on the rise.
So it only makes sense that a video game-on-demand service would spring up. Really, it surprised me that this kind of service wasn’t previously available. However, we are glad that it’s finally here. Check out our review of the service after the break.
Last year, we took a brief look at the then-unreleased GameFly PC client. The client is a really cool idea: subscribers of GameFly’s standard “video game-by-mail” service can now download a client on their PC to manage their accounts and edit their GameQs. But the most intriguing aspect of the PC client is the “Unlimited PC Play” aspect.
Unlimited PC Play is sort of a bonus for paid members. Users can download and play a number of PC games instantly, for no extra charge. It’s a great way to pass some time while you’re waiting for them to ship your copy of Far Cry 3.
Visually, GameFly's PC client looks a lot like Steam in both style and color scheme.
Comparing GameFly’s video game-on-demand service to Netflix or Hulu isn’t quite accurate, though. Sure, users can play as many of the “unlimited play”-eligible games as they want, but the games aren’t streamed instantly: they’re downloaded.
However, the download times are speedy enough, though, and once a game is downloaded, it can be played anytime, online or not.
The selection of games is alright. You won’t be able to play Skyrim for free on demand three months after release, but a number of big-name titles from the past few years – Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Saint’s Row 2 – are available for download to all users.
(A full list of games eligible for Unlimited PC Play is available here.)
Of course, like with Steam, if you uninstall the GameFly client, your downloaded games will go with it. But as long as you’re a paying member of the service, you’ll be able to access the unlimited play games any time.
Overall, GameFly’s PC client is a great addition to the service. Given the limited game selection, it’s not really worth buying a subscription just to download Unlimited Play games, but it certainly makes for a nice little supplement for current subscribers.
GameFly subscriptions are available for a variety of prices, all including access to the PC client with Unlimited PC Play.
