The role-playing game genre is a vast landscape of epic adventures, but some of the most compelling stories have faded from the spotlight. A recent video from 3DJuegos shines a light on 20 such titles – influential games that deserve a second look in 2026.

Rediscovering lost rpg masterpieces

The video delves beyond the mainstream, spotlighting not only lesser-known developers but also titans of the genre who crafted surprisingly underappreciated experiences. Consider Obsidian's Alpha Protocol or Atlus's intense Devil Survivor – both examples of games that resonated with players but didn't achieve widespread recognition.

These aren't simply old games; they represent distinct flavors and approaches to RPG gameplay. From classic turn-based combat to innovative real-time systems, the list caters to a wide range of preferences. What's fascinating is the enduring quality of these titles, suggesting that critical acclaim doesn't always translate to commercial success.

The list offers a compelling reminder that gaming history isn't just about the blockbusters. It’s about the hidden treasures, the games that sparked innovation and offered unique experiences to those who discovered them. Many of these titles offer a glimpse into the evolution of the RPG genre, showcasing design choices that haven’t been replicated.

The video also provides practical information on where to find these forgotten gems, making it a valuable resource for gamers eager to explore beyond the familiar. The fact that these games are still worth playing speaks volumes about their lasting impact. It's a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted narratives and engaging gameplay.

These aren't just relics of the past; they are windows into gaming's creative past. And they are waiting to be rediscovered.

Traveling soon? You might be surprised by a sneaky bill creeping onto your phone statement – the cost of receiving SMS messages while abroad. It’s a hidden expense many travelers overlook, often realizing the true cost only after arriving home.

Unexpected sms costs can add up quickly

Most users are aware of data roaming charges, but the cost of receiving text messages (SMS) when outside the European Union is a significant, often unforeseen, expense. Activating your phone's PIN for a quick two-factor authentication code can quickly turn into a costly surprise.

My recent trip to China highlighted just how expensive receiving SMS can be. I opted for an eSIM instead of my main O2 line, anticipating avoiding these charges. However, when attempting to access an account, a security code was sent via SMS. China isn’t part of the EU's free roaming zone, and each SMS cost a full euro.

This isn't an isolated incident. The reality is that while sending an SMS is a conscious choice, receiving one often isn't. Your mobile operator pays foreign networks for the privilege of delivering that message to your phone. This inter-connection fee is the culprit. While regulated within the EU, this isn’t the case elsewhere.

How to avoid paying for incoming texts while traveling

Before you jet off, understand your phone plan's roaming agreement. Don't assume that your

At CES 2026, Asus quietly unleashed the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN, a name that initially whispered of a minor refresh. The single letter difference from its predecessor suggested a cosmetic tweak, a mere formality for a new model year. Don't be fooled. This isn't a facelift; it's a fundamental reimagining of what an OLED gaming monitor can be, spearheaded by the debut of the Tandem RGB QD-OLED panel.

The tandem rgb qd-oled advantage: beyond the refresh rate

The headline feature is undoubtedly the panel itself. While the 360Hz refresh rate and new BlackShield coating—designed to boost perceived black levels and scratch resistance—are significant improvements, they pale in comparison to the shift to Tandem RGB QD-OLED. This isn't just a tweak; it's an architectural change, employing a novel RGB Stripe Pixel OLED arrangement that addresses the notorious text rendering issues that have plagued QD-OLED displays. We've seen QD-OLED promise vibrant colors and improved brightness, but the visual artifacts often undermined its potential. This new panel fundamentally changes that.

The ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN doesn’t just look good on paper; it delivers. Asus's commitment to quality is evident throughout the design, from the premium packaging—complete with a stylish cable organizer and microfiber cleaning cloth—to the robust, fully adjustable stand boasting a subtly illuminated ROG logo. A red LED projects the ROG logo onto the desk, a touch of flair that’s both playful and indicative of the monitor’s high-end status. The rear panel, while housing the electronics, maintains a sleek, aggressive aesthetic, punctuated by strategically placed ventilation.

Image quality that demands attention

Calibration from the factory is remarkably precise, a hallmark of Asus ROG monitors. The display’s brightness, a traditionally weak point for OLEDs, has received a significant boost. DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification translates to SDR brightness hovering around 250-260 nits, with HDR peaks reaching an impressive 1300 nits—achieved via a clever dynamic brightness feature. While this can introduce subtle brightness fluctuations in some modes, the included Uniform Brightness setting effectively mitigates this issue.

Beyond brightness, the ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN excels in every other area. The infinite contrast, amplified by the BlackShield coating, is breathtaking. Color fidelity is superb, with near-total coverage of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color spaces. Gaming performance is simply astonishing; the 360Hz refresh rate and sub-10ms latency create a fluidity that redefines responsiveness. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 (FRL) and DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20) ensures compatibility with the latest consoles and PCs.

A pricey entry, but worth it?

The ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN isn't cheap. Launched at a premium price of €1299, it sits firmly in the high-end segment. However, the technological leaps—particularly the Tandem RGB QD-OLED panel—justify the investment for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of display technology. While previous generations offered incremental improvements, this is a genuine step forward. The question isn’t whether it’s expensive, but whether it redefines the category, and in our testing, it does precisely that.

This isn't just a new monitor; it's a statement. Asus has delivered on the promise of QD-OLED, finally silencing the critics and ushering in a new era of vibrant, accurate, and exceptionally smooth gaming and content creation. The ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN isn't just a monitor; it's a window into the future of display technology.

Quentin Tarantino's most iconic and brutal cinematic odyssey, Kill Bill, has finally received the definitive, uncut treatment fans have been craving for over two decades. Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, a 275-minute behemoth, brings together the action-packed narratives of the original 2003 and 2004 volumes into a single, uninterrupted viewing experience.

Origin story

The film's tumultuous journey began in the early 2000s when Tarantino penned the initial script, inspired by the eclectic style of his breakthrough hit Pulp Fiction. However, the notorious Harvey Weinstein, then a key player at Miramax, insisted on splitting the material into two separate films to maximize box office returns.

And so, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 were born, each boasting impressive fight choreography and memorable characters, but still falling short of Tarantino's original vision. Now, with the rights to the property finally back under his control, the auteur has been able to craft the feature film he always intended to make.

A bloody, uncut masterpiece

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair boasts a number of key changes and additions, including a revised ending to Vol. 1 and the omission of the black-and-white recap that opened Vol. 2. The iconic House of Blue Leaves fight scene, originally presented in monochrome, is now fully rendered in vibrant color, while additional, previously unseen violence has been included.

Furthermore, the film's anime sequence, The Origin of O-Ren, has been expanded with new, previously unreleased content. While details remain under wraps to avoid spoilers, this expanded sequence serves as a testament to Tarantino's relentless pursuit of perfection.

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair will finally make its Spanish debut on April 10th, offering fans a chance to experience Tarantino's long-gestating magnum opus in its complete, unadulterated form.

For years, PC gamers have grappled with a fundamental disadvantage: game development on Windows and Linux is inherently more complex than on consoles. This disparity is poised for a significant shift, thanks to a wave of advancements unveiled at the GDC 2026 conference.

Microsoft's directstorage 1.4 and gacl aim to revolutionize pc game loading times and performance.

The core challenge lies in the PC's open architecture. Unlike consoles with their tightly controlled hardware, PCs boast a vast array of component combinations, creating optimization headaches for developers. This has led to longer loading screens and slower in-game world population – a frustration many have accepted as par for the course.

However, Microsoft is determined to bridge this gap. Their announced suite of improvements, backed by major players like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, focuses on streamlining the development process and delivering a superior gaming experience. At the heart of this overhaul is DirectStorage 1.4.

DirectStorage bypasses the traditional data transfer route from hard drive to processor, sending game assets directly to the graphics card. This single change promises dramatically reduced loading times. Version 1.4 further enhances this with Zstandard, a new compression method that can shrink game files by up to 50% without sacrificing visual fidelity. This upgrade is slated for GeForce RTX 50 series cards and PCs equipped with Intel's Lunar Lake and Panther Lake processors.

Beyond faster loading, Microsoft introduced GACL (Game Application Component Loader), an AI-powered tool that analyzes and reorganizes game assets during development. The result? Smaller download sizes and quicker load times for players, all without requiring developers to manually optimize every detail. This is a game-changer.

The company also announced new diagnostic tools to help developers identify and fix graphical errors in real-time – a feature long standard on consoles but now being brought to PC.

Further bolstering the PC gaming ecosystem, Microsoft updated Direct3D 12 with Shader Compiler 6.9, introducing tools to reduce ray tracing resource consumption. This effectively standardizes these optimizations, compelling AMD and Intel to incorporate them into future graphics cards. And it's not just about raw power; Microsoft is also bringing Auto SR, an AI-powered upscaling technology, to the ROG Xbox Ally X in April, potentially boosting frame rates by up to 30%. This initiative paves the way for a unified Xbox-PC gaming experience with the upcoming Project Helix.

The question remains: will these promises translate into tangible improvements for the games we play? The momentum behind these advancements suggests a genuine shift is underway. This isn’t just incremental improvement; it’s a fundamental re-architecting of PC game development. The future of PC gaming is looking significantly brighter – and faster.

Gamers rejoice! The Piranha2 dock for the Nintendo Switch 2 has landed on Amazon with a significant discount, promising a complete charging and display solution for the next-gen console. This isn't just a stand; it's a hub designed to elevate your gaming experience.

Power up your play: key features of the piranha2 dock

The dock boasts 4K resolution at 60fps, delivering visuals so smooth and detailed, Nintendo’s worlds truly come alive on larger screens. The Piranha2 dock’s compatibility extends to both the original Switch and the Switch 2, enabling seamless screen mirroring with impressive image quality.

But the benefits don’t stop there. An integrated cooling system, featuring a high-performance fan, keeps the console's temperature in check, preventing performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. This is a welcome addition, especially during warmer months.

Furthermore, the dock functions as a 3-in-1 station, offering HDMI, USB-C, and USB 2.0 ports for comprehensive connectivity. You can charge your Switch while simultaneously playing on TV, provided you use a 60W or higher charger. The lateral slots are cleverly designed for charging up to four Joy-Con controllers at once, ensuring you’re always ready for multiplayer action.

Piranha2 also prioritizes device safety with an advanced protection chip, safeguarding against power surges, overheating, and featuring automatic shut-off. This adds a layer of peace of mind, especially when leaving your console charging overnight. The efficient charging system allows simultaneous screen transmission and power delivery without any power loss, and the build quality exudes a premium feel.

Its compact design makes it ideal for travel, significantly reducing the footprint compared to the original Nintendo dock. Currently available on Amazon for under €80 – a substantial saving thanks to the Spring Deals – the Piranha2 dock is an investment in a smoother, safer, and more convenient gaming setup.

The price point makes this a compelling upgrade. Consider it the missing piece for truly immersive gameplay.

Breaking your phone screen or dropping it in the toilet can be a costly mistake. But with the right insurance, you can rest easy knowing you're covered. nn

What's the cost of phone insurance?

Of course, these figures will vary depending on the coverage you choose and the provider. Some plans might include a deductible, while others might protect against theft or loss in addition to accidental damage.

Is phone insurance worth it?

As a pioneer of Spanish horror cinema, Tinieblas González once captured the spotlight with his groundbreaking short films in the late 1990s. His dark, avant-garde style wowed audiences at the Cannes Film Festival and earned him recognition for his work.

A brief shining moment

González's first short, Por un Infante Difunto (1998), won the prestigious Canal+ award for Best Short Film at Cannes, the only Spanish entry in its category. The film's success led to a staggering 140 screenings across various venues, and it was later acquired by TV networks both domestically and internationally.

The raven. nevermore

His follow-up, The Raven. Nevermore (1999), adapted Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, shot on location in English to broaden its appeal. While it didn't win any major awards, it did earn a nomination for Best Short Fiction Film at the Goya Awards, losing to Ana Martínez's Pantalones de Ana.

Struggles with feature films

Despite the initial success, González's attempts to transition to feature films proved challenging. His debut, Roots of Blood (200?), was plagued by financial issues and creative differences with his producer. The project ultimately stalled.

Alma sin dueño: a final, frustrating effort

Undeterred, González poured his heart into his second and final feature, Alma sin Dueño (2009). Shot in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, the film's ambitious, surreal narrative and international cast seemed poised for success. However, the production company vanished mid-project, leaving González with an unfinished film and unpaid debts.

The end of an era

Defeated and disillusioned, González publicly criticized the Spanish government for failing to protect filmmakers. He fled to the United States, where he now lives a quieter life in California with his wife and exotic pets. His once-promising career in horror cinema remains a footnote in Spanish film history, a cautionary tale of the industry's harsh realities and the fragility of artistic dreams.

The asymmetrical multiplayer horror genre has been a graveyard for promising titles. For years, the landscape has been dominated by one inescapable force: Dead by Daylight. While Behaviour Interactive's survival-horror behemoth enjoys staggering success – boasting over 50,000 concurrent players on Steam – its triumphs have come at the expense of its competitors. Several games, once vying for the same audience, are now relics of a bygone gaming era.

Dead by daylight's reign: a cautionary tale for the genre

The situation is stark. Titles like Evil Dead: The Game, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Friday the 13th: The Game are no longer available for purchase, existing only for those who acquired them before their removal. Friday the 13th: The Game, while still technically playable, now attracts a mere 300 daily players on PC. The upcoming Halloween (Michael Myers), set for release on September 8, 2026, will offer a 1v4 asymmetrical multiplayer experience, along with a single-player mode, but it's entering a market significantly diminished by Dead by Daylight's overwhelming presence.

Behaviour Interactive’s creative director, Dave Richard, attributes the game's longevity to a perfect storm of factors: timing, the right team, and, crucially, a bit of luck. Mathieu Cote, head of collaborations, emphasizes a key design element: allowing players to choose their role as killer or survivor, rather than being assigned one. This flexibility, coupled with the game's freedom from being tied to a single franchise IP, has proven a powerful combination. “Being tied to a specific IP is great because it allows you to delve into a universe that people know and want, but it's also extremely restrictive,” Cote explained.

The demise of these competing titles isn't solely due to Dead by Daylight's superior gameplay. The initial mover advantage is a significant hurdle. However, the dominance of Dead by Daylight raises serious questions about the viability of the asymmetrical horror genre. The game's continued success – with plans for at least another 10 years of content – casts a long shadow over its predecessors. The cost of failing to adapt, it seems, is extinction.

Ten years after its original release, Makoto Shinkai's Your Name is returning to theaters this March 20. But it won't have the screens to itself. Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue, a landmark of 1990s anime, is also getting a 4K re-release on the same day, presenting audiences with a stark contrast in cinematic experiences.

A tale of two anime classics

Your Name, the 2016 global phenomenon, captivated audiences with its fantastical premise of body-swapping teenagers from a rural town and a bustling city, all while a celestial event threatens the protagonist’s home. The film’s vibrant visuals and hopeful narrative cemented Shinkai’s reputation for visually stunning and emotionally resonant storytelling. It grossed $174.027.382 worldwide, a testament to its broad appeal.

Perfect Blue, released in 1997, offers a far more unsettling journey. This psychological thriller, produced by Madhouse, follows a pop singer who begins to lose her grip on reality, blurring the lines between dreams and waking life. Kon masterfully blends suspense and horror with a distinct 90s anime aesthetic and a darker, more subdued color palette – a precursor to his later work on Paprika (2006).

While Your Name embraced saturated colors and gleaming visuals, Perfect Blue opts for a more realistic, almost gritty, depiction of its protagonist’s descent into paranoia. The film's exploration of identity and the perils of fame resonates even more powerfully today, as we navigate the complexities of online personas and the blurring of reality.

The simultaneous release allows audiences to experience two pivotal works in anime history. One offers an uplifting escape, the other a chilling reflection on perception. The choices, it seems, are as profound as the narratives themselves.