Download sources

There are several download sources created by the community. All known sources are gathered in the Hydra Library.

This topic will present and explain their main differences:

Only sources with Trusted or Safe to use status will be covered. It is highly recommended that you only use sources with these statuses.

Sources with RU in the title are mirrors of the regular sources, but hosted elsewhere so that people living in Russia can use them.

You don't need to use them unless your internet provider is blocking your connection to the regular sources.

Formats

Different sources make their games available in different formats. Here is an explanation of each of them:

Repack:

Repack is a term used for a compressed version of the game. Games from sources that make repacks available will come with an installer (setup.exe), which you need to run to install the game.

Download options of DODI, FitGirl, GOG, KaOsKrew, Tiny-Repacks, Empress, ByXatab and TapochekNet (when they have repack in the title), RuTracker and Wkeynhk (when they do not have [Portable] in the title) will be repacks.

After installing them, you can delete the installer files, to save storage.

Pre-installed:

Pre-installed is a term used for pre-installed games, only requiring their extraction.

Download options of Online-Fix, SteamRip, AtopGames, Shisuy's source and Kazumi (not downloaded through torrent) are pre-installed games.

You must have WinRAR installed on your computer to extract these files. (If Hydra did not already extract them automatically)

Portable:

Portable is a term used for pre-installed games, without the need for extraction.

Download options of ByXatab and TapochekNet (when they do not have repack in the title), Kazumi (downloaded via torrent), and RuTracker and Wkeynhk (when they have [Portable] in the title) are portable games, without the need for extraction.

Available languages

Sizewise, for considerably small games, all sources will support all languages.

For bigger games, with multiple voiceovers, the sources may or may not support all languages:

• Download options of ByXatab in its portable versions, DODI, FitGirl, GOG and Online-Fix options, for the most part, support all official languages of the game.

• Download options of ByXatab in its repacks, SteamRip, AtopGames, Shisuy's source, Repack-Games, KaOsKrew, Tiny-Repacks and Empress only support English and Russian.

• Download options of Kazumi, RuTracker, Wkeynhk, and TapochekNet will vary depending on the download option.

RuTracker, Wkeynhk, and TapochekNet will always display all available languages in the download option title.

Online

Download options of Online-Fix include a crack that enables online multiplayer via Steam, in most cases, and via Epic Games/Xbox, in certain cases.

Download options from other sources, when they have Coop, Multiplayer, or Online in the title, will come with the Online-Fix crack pre-applied, or optionally, to enable online play.

If there are no download options that fit these definitions, it means there is no Online-Fix crack available to enable online play.

Some important information about online functionalities in these download options:

• Everyone must be on the same version of the game for online to work;
• In cases where online works via Steam (using 'Spacewar'), you can only play with people who are also playing with the Online-Fix crack. In cases where online works via Epic Games/Xbox, you can also play with people who own the original game;
• If the game has LAN (Local Area Network) multiplayer, you can play with anyone, using any source (even the original game), without relying on the Online-Fix crack. Everyone can just connect to the same local network using some program like Radmin and play via LAN;
• If the game isn't updated, online play may not work properly.

Downloaders

Torrent is the most common form of download among all sources. It works in the peer to peer (p2p) method, seeds and peers are required for downloads to work. Because of this dependency, its speed tends to be the most inconsistent among all the options available on Hydra. However, it is still possible to achieve high speeds for games with a high number of seeds and peers.

Gofile/Pixeldrain/Datanodes/Mediafire/Qiwi are free hosters that function with direct downloads, downloads made directly from servers without relying on seeds and peers. Because they are free, their speeds may still not be as fast and consistent. Among them, Gofile presents better and more consistent results.

Real-Debrid/Torbox are paid debrid services, useful for downloading games faster and more consistently. Of both options, Real-Debrid is the best, although more expensive. You can check their prices on the official websites of Real-Debrid and Torbox

Nimbus is Hydra's own debrid service, which is still in beta, occasionally enabled for Hydra Cloud subscribers.

All downloaders, except for torrent, will be compressed, as they work via direct download.

DLCs/Additional Content

Usually, all sources distribute all additional content that games have. Unfortunately, the only way to know exactly what content comes in each option is by checking the official website of each source.

In games from the GOG source, the DLCs have their own setups. So, in addition to installing the base game, you need to install the DLCs, if you want.

Which sources should I use?

Based on all the points discussed in this topic, here are some recommendations of sources to use when downloading a game on Hydra Launcher:

For offline games:

• ByXatab, in its portable options;
• DODI;
• SteamRip;
• Kazumi.

For online games:

• Online-Fix;
• Any download option that has Coop, Multiplayer or Online in the title.

It is recommended to choose the most updated download option among these options.

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Despite all their differences, and your personal preferences, it is recommended to add all sources with Trusted or Safe to use status. Some games are only available from a specific source.