GOG’s Galaxy Game Client Comes Out Of Beta, Introduces Overlay & Cloud Saves

GOG announced this week that its GOG Galaxy game client has just received its biggest update of all time, bringing it to version 1.2. This version becomes a milestone release, as it signifies the software’s exit from beta – a beta which began over two-and-a-half years ago. This stable version also comes 9 years after GOG as a whole launched, and 8 years after we first took the service for a spin.

GOG Galaxy 1.2 isn’t just some polish release for the sake of coming out of beta; it brings a lot of new functionality that’s worth checking out. At the forefront, the software supports universal cloud saves, which includes support for some classic games, although overall support is quite limited (the entire list can be seen here).

Also new to 1.2 is an overlay that lets you chat with friends, check up on your framerate, or browse the game’s main page at GOG. It’s limited in functionality compared to Steam’s overlay, but it’ll obviously be treated to updates in the future, like the rest of the client. And speaking of the overlay, you can disable it if you don’t want it, a rule that also applies to cloud saves, game time tracking, achievements, and auto-updates.

If you’ve been using GOG Galaxy for some time, it might not feel like there’s too much new here, but if it’s been a while since you’ve used it, you’ll definitely stumble on some enhancements. That includes improvements to the chat client, the ability to throttle download speeds, the inclusion of a screenshot feature, and achievements (along with their rarity).

Other features worth pointing out (but are not new) include the ability to download extras for each one of your games, if there are any (and there are many), such as wallpapers, avatars, concept art, manuals, soundtracks, et cetera. You also have the ability to download backup copies of games outside of GOG Galaxy, for quick installation on another PC. If a game supports cloud saves, you’re also able to download the archive in one fell swoop – and you don’t need to install the game to access the saves. And, in case it isn’t clear, GOG is still a 100% DRM-free service.

If there’s a single feature I’d like to personally see added to Galaxy, it’s the ability to right-click a store page from within the client to fetch an HTTP link to share with friends. Aside from that minor complaint, some quick testing has me sold. GOG Galaxy is a great client at this point; lightweight, good-looking, and feature-rich.

You can grab the client download here, but to access 1.2, you’ll need to enable the downloading of preview releases in the settings page.