No one likes getting stuck in a game but it’s a problem a reader suffers through in the otherwise enjoyable 2000 AD comic book adaptation Rogue Trooper.

Beware the Hovertrain. It will only cause you pain.

You are Rogue Trooper. A Genetic Infantryman created by the Souther Army to tip the balance in their fight against the Norts. Both sides battle for dominion over Nu Earth, a toxic war-torn planet where just about everything, including the air, will most likely kill you. After an act of betrayal the Genetic Infantrymen are all but wiped out during their inaugural mission. Rogue manages to save three of his fallen squad mates by retrieving their bio-chips and fitting them to his equipment.

Gunnar, who is now implanted into Rogue’s rifle, is the most useful of your bio-chip buddies. In his basic form Gunnar can serve as an automated sentry gun and his nifty scope is a great way to take out distant Norts by shooting holes in their air tanks. But like most everything else in Rogue’s arsenal your talking rifle can be substantially upgraded.

Bagman facilitates this upgrade process using salvage obtained on the battlefield. The more salvage you collect the more futuristic military kit you have access to, provided Bagman has the blueprint for said kit. The underslung shotgun that can be added to Gunnar works well in close combat. The mortar attachment is another must-have with its potent, long range spread of death and destruction.

The numerous upgrades on offer in this game turned me into a compulsive scavenger, but also quite an unsavoury one. Playing this game I continuously robbed the dead. Piles of valuable salvage are harder to find than expired Norts. Which means copious corpse pillaging. But needs must, especially since Rogue appears to operate without resupply or much backup.

Rogue’s third and final bio-chip squadmate is Helm and compared to the Gunnar and Bagman, he’s a bit superfluous. Helm invites trouble too. Use your talking helmet to hack computers and doors and you can fully expect an enemy counterattack.

Rogue Trooper is no simple run and gun shooter. To survive on Nu Earth, and to hunt down the Traitor General who orchestrated the GI’s downfall, you’ll have to use caution and cover. Drill probes burst out of the ground to deliver incoming rushes of enemy troops. Hoppa gunships prowl menacingly overhead. Automated pillboxes can cut you down in seconds.

Fire on some pillboxes and they eject a flurry of murderous drones. Then there’s the Nort troopers themselves, which come in several different variants. The mechanised Norts are tough to kill and can unleash serious firepower. EMP Troopers emit a blast that temporarily neutralises your bio-chip buddies, while they respond with a distorted outcry.

The future war is hell, but I enjoyed playing Rogue Trooper. Creativity and imagination abound here, since the game draws heavily on its rich comic book roots. Some of the game’s levels do verge on the generic. Military bases and docksides. I’ve seen that stuff many times before. Other locations in Rogue Trooper are ultra cool. Nu Paree is a seedy cityscape that’s satisfying to fight in. The Petrified Forest, perhaps my favourite level, is a haunting maze of trees and enemy snipers. Take shelter in the forest’s many gloomy nooks but be wary of hostile spiders.

To reach the Petrified Forest you have to complete Mission Nine. Hovertrain Journey involves defending a train from a varied Nort onslaught using Gunnar, two side-mounted guns and a flak cannon. I lost count of how many times I failed this mission. Hovertrain Journey started off as a challenge. After the first 10 or so attempts the level grew annoying. That annoyance eventually led to abject despair.

Abject despair is a burning Hovertrain that will never reach its destination. For at least two or three successive weekends I heard the same audible prompts. Utterances repeated in a torturous and predictable loop…

‘Stammels coming in from the left. Use the mounted gun, Rogue. Don’t let any get too close.’

‘Watch it, we’ve been boarded.’

‘Woah-aak’ – The sound a Nort makes when he’s forced off a train.

‘Heads up Rogue. We’ve got company above. Incoming Sun Legions. Good job we have a flak cannon.’

‘Rogue, the train’s almost gone. Your aim better start improving.’

Difficulty spikes in games are interesting. If you’re stubborn. If you refuse to give up on the part of a game that you’re stuck on the act of tackling it starts to become second nature. Repeated failure educates you and consciously or subconsciously you steadily get better. Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re having fun.

The last mission in Rogue Trooper, Final Fight, is also difficult. In your showdown with the Traitor General the game throws wave after wave of every enemy type at you in a relatively confined space. But Final Fight is no Hovertrain Journey. Hovertrain Journey has left me with scars, or at least a grudge. All that time ostensibly wasted. I’ll never get those hours back. And after/if you complete Hovertrain Journey (spoiler alert) the train derails and crashes anyway. So what was the point?

Most worryingly, now that I’m free of my obligation to beat Hovertrain Journey I want to play it again. My gaming life’s become too easy. I miss the depressing struggle and those recurring sound bites…

‘Use the mounted gun, Rogue. Don’t let any get too close.’

‘Watch it we’ve been boarded.’

‘Woah-aak.’

By reader Michael Veal (@msv858)

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

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For it was the return of Bolton’s dance event of the year, Strictly Learn to Dance, with the judges proving as dazzling as the dancers themselves.

Bolton Hospice’s annual event was once again a resounding success, with participants stepping out to impress the audience and judges with their newfound dancing skills, all while raising vital funds for the hospice.

The judges at Strictly Learn to Dance (Image: Bolton Hospice)

The event, held at Bolton Wanderers’ Stadium Hotel yesterday (Friday), saw 16 couples take to the dance floor after 12 weeks of intensive training.

The atmosphere was described as electric as the dancers showcased their talent in a variety of styles, from the Cha cha cha to the Salsa, and Tango to Rock n Roll.

Kate and Maria (Image: Bolton Hospice)

k n Roll.

Not only did the dancing duos put their nerves aside to perform in front of a live audience, they also braved this year’s panel of judges, which included esteemed professional Ballroom and Latin dancers and experienced adjudicators Alan Newman and David Brankley, as well as Deputy Mayor and Bolton Hospice Trustee Andy Morgan, and The Bolton News Editor, Richard Duggan.

Strictly Learn to Dance final (Image: Bolton Hospice)

The event was not only a spectacular showcase of talent and entertainment but also a night of raising much-needed funds for Bolton Hospice.

Right moves (Image: Bolton Hospice)

So far this year’s Strictly Learn to Dance participants have raised over £20,000 from their own fundraising – an incredible amount testament to the dancers’ dedication and determination – with more funds raised on the night still to be counted and announced.

Results on the night:

·       Overall Champions – Katie & Maria

·       Cha cha cha winners – Yvonne & Mick

·       Salsa winners – Lauren & Ben

·       Argentine Tango – Jessica & Kenny

·       Rock n roll – Katie & Maria

·       Quickstep winner – Jessica & Kenny

·       Twinkle Toes Award – Ben & David

·       Most improved – Lauren & Ben and Pete & Lynne

·       Audience Choice – Kathy & Andy

·       Fantastic fundraiser 2025 award – Erica & Michael

Glitz and glamour on the dance floor (Image: Bolton Hospice)

 Louise Gray, Events Fundraiser at Bolton Hospice said, “On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our participants, guests, volunteers, Bolton FM, the wonderful Touch of Class Dance studio, our guest judges who did a fantastic job & event sponsor, Diamond Buses North West, who made the evening possible! We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you so much for your support!”

Dancing king and queen (Image: Bolton Hospice)

Bolton Hospice relies heavily on the generosity of the local community to continue providing specialist care and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families. The Strictly Learn to Dance event is a key fundraising activity, and its success is a testament to the incredible support the hospice receives from the Bolton community.

If this year’s dancers have inspired you to want to get involved, please contact Bolton Hospice’s fundraising team at fundraising@boltonhospice.org to register your interest as a dancer for next year’s Strictly Learn to Dance event.

Tens of thousands of anti-Trump protesters have been attending “No Kings” rallies on Saturday across the US.

More than 3,200 events ‌were planned in all 50 states, and organisers hoped it would be the biggest single-day protest in US history.

There were rallies in cities including Washington DC, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as further afield in London and Paris, where people demonstrated against the Iran war.

Organisers expected nine million people would take part in America this time, after the first two rounds of rallies last June and October attracted five million and seven million respectively.

The rallies came as Donald Trump‘s approval rating fell to 36%, which is its lowest point since he returned to power, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

And a national NBC News poll earlier this month found that majorities of registered voters in the US disapproved of the president’s handling of immigration, Iran, inflation and the cost of living.

The flagship rally on Saturday was in the state of Minnesota, where Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot dead in January by federal agents in the city of Minneapolis as they monitored a crackdown on illegal immigration.

Around 100,000 were expected to attend as people stood on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and surrounding streets in St Paul, with Bruce Springsteen headlining the event.

The US singer performed his song Streets of Minneapolis which he wrote in response to the two fatal shootings.

Springsteen said that people pushing back against US Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) had given the rest of the country hope.

“Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America,” he said.

“And this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand.”

But White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the rallies were backed by “leftist funding networks” with little real public support.

The “only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them”, Ms Jackson said in a statement.

And Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticised ‌Democratic politicians and candidates for supporting the rallies.

Meanwhile, vice president JD Vance was the Conservative Political Action Conference’s choice this ‌year to be the next Republican nominee for US president, ahead of secretary of state Marco Rubio, according to a poll.

In Washington DC, hundreds of people marched past the Lincoln Memorial and into the National Mall, holding signs that read “Put down the crown, clown” and “Regime change begins at home”.

Demonstrators also rang bells, played drums and chanted “No Kings”.

In New York, thousands gathered in Manhattan, where actor Robert De Niro said “there have been other presidents who have tested the constitutional limits of their power, but none have ​been such an existential threat to our freedoms and security”.

In San Diego, police said about 40,000 people marched in a “No Kings” event.

However, organisers said two-thirds of the rallies were expected to take place outside major city centres.

They included communities in conservative-leaning states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well as in suburban areas of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.

The first No Kings day of protest in June 2025 was organised amid Mr Trump’s decision to hold a military parade in Washington on his birthday.

At the time, the president told reporters that “if there’s any protester that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force”.

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Meanwhile in London, people protesting against the US-Israeli war in Iran held banners that said “Stop the far right” and “Stand up to Racism”.

And in Paris, several hundred people, mostly Americans living in France, along with those from French labour unions and human rights organisations, gathered at the Bastille.

In Rome, thousands of people took part in a march against conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They also protested at the Israeli and US attacks on Iran, calling for “a world free from wars”.

Moses Itauma’s relentless run continued on Saturday as the rising heavyweight star knocked out Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.

Itauma, 21, became the first boxer to knock out Franklin as he stopped the American in the fifth round, improving his record to 14-0 with a 12th finish.

The crowd at the Co-op Live arena had gathered to see if Itauma could pass his latest test, and the British prospect did so with flying colours, dropping Franklin in the third round and stopping him in the fifth.

The first knockdown came courtesy of a short right hand to the top of Franklin’s head, as southpaw Itauma trapped the American in the corner.

Franklin, 32, beat the referee’s count and survived the final 15 seconds of the round, and he even came out of his shell in the fourth frame, dialling up his offence after Itauma’s blistering start.

But the fifth round brought an abrupt end to Franklin’s defiance, as a rear uppercut froze the American completely, before Itauma followed up with a right hand to drop his vulnerable opponent again.

Referee Steve Gray waved off the fight before the end of the 10 count, to the anger of Franklin’s team, but it seemed a fair call after the underdog was out on his feet.

Itauma’s victory, and the manner of it, will only increase calls for the Kent boxer to fight for a world title in the near future, and his promoter Frank Warren suggested that will happen before the end of the year.

The Queensberry boss hinted at a July return for Itauma, which would surely not be a world-title fight, given champions Oleksandr Usyk and Fabio Wardley are in action in May – Wardley, a teammate of Itauma, against Daniel Dubois; and Usyk against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the pyramids of Giza.

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“I wanna say thank you very much for the Manchester crowd, I’ve had a lovely time,” Itauma said. “Man, I’m happy to get the win. The Lord is good!

“I’ve done something that other British heavyweights – that have gone on to do great things – haven’t been able to do,” he continued, referencing the fact that Franklin’s only previous losses were points defeats by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

“It takes two to tango, so I’m appreciative [of Franklin]. I tried to knock him out in the first, second round – tried to make some people some dough – but I just thought: ‘Ah, maybe not today.’ I switched it up, went to the body. It’s not the shots you load up with, it’s the shots you don’t see.”

Itauma signed off, “I’m just a young boy chasing a dream,” as fans await to see when that world-title dream will materialise.

Itauma’s previous result was a KO of Whyte in August, when he required just 119 seconds to beat the British veteran.

As all PS5 consoles suffer a major new price increase a reader explains why he’s given up on ever getting one and will instead buy a gaming PC.

I almost don’t know what to say about the fact that there’s been yet another price increase for the PlayStation 5. And this time they didn’t even bother to make up a reason for why. If they try and pretend it’s because of the Iran War that’s nonsense because it only just started and who knows when and how it’ll end. If it’s because of the memory crisis that’s something at least, but they didn’t even mention that.

I’m not saying that there’s not some problems going on that would make things difficult for Sony, but there’s a difference between making a few percent less on each console and increasing the price by £90. Of course, it’s only $50 in the US, which is £38, so even though they’re responsible for the ‘pressures in the global economic landscape’ it’s every other country that has to subsidise the US, not the other way around.

To say that I am disgusted is an understatement, especially as I suspect half the reason for this increase is that Sony want to increase the PlayStation 5 price so that there’s less of a leap between it and the PlayStation 6, which is obviously going to be even more expensive.

As a gamer I usually try to ignore all the reports about layoffs and bad management in the industry. Not because I don’t feel sorry for those people but there’s nothing I can do about it and it’s not as if people in every walk of life aren’t having it bad at the moment. But also, I have to admit, I like to treat gaming as my escape from real-world troubles, and I don’t want to feel guilty about enjoying it or constantly worrying that it’s going to fall apart like a house of cards.

But I feel in the last few months it’s become impossible to ignore. I think the turning point was when it became clear Xbox had lost and yet the price of the PlayStation 5 kept going up. And then the Switch 2 came out and it was as if Nintendo didn’t really seem to have a plan (and still don’t seem to), so you began to get the feeling that all these companies are just winging it and stumbling from one disaster to another.

I thought it was bad enough, the story this week that more and more games are costing $300 million or more to make. An amount that’s more than most movies, which is insane to me. This is also a major problem for these companies but it’s got a pretty simple solution… don’t spend that much?

Minecraft and Fortnite aren’t the best-looking games in the world by a long shot. Roblox might be the ugliest, and yet they seem to do all right. You need a certain level of realism to do a game like The Last Of Us but we reached that last gen and the PlayStation 5 has made very little improvement from there.

Not only do we not need the PlayStation 6 but we never needed a PlayStation 5. It didn’t improve the graphics in any major way and it has no special abilities that the PlayStation 4 didn’t. Everyone knows that PlayStation 6 is going to be even worse too, assuming they don’t try and use it to push more AI slop, like that disastrous DLSS 5 tech.

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But it’s too late now. Even though they should go back they won’t and these problems will only get worse over time, just like they’ve been getting worse all generation. I see some people hoping that Sony pulling back from PC and mobile, and maybe live service games, means they’re going to start making more single-player titles again, but I really doubt it.

They’re just going to make the same amount as they currently do because it’s just not possible to make more given the prices involved. What happened to selling the console at a loss because you make so much money on the games? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that as Sony makes less than ever the price of the console has gone up, as if to compensate.

In case you’re wondering, I still have a PlayStation 4, having decided to get a Switch 2 during the last price hike. Now I’m just giving up. The PlayStation 5 is never going to fall in price or even get back to where it was at launch. So forget it, I’ll just buy a PC instead. The worst thing is I don’t even care if Sony games stop appearing on it.

I feel like I’ve been a PlayStation fan too long and the only one that’s getting anything out of that loyalty is Sony.

By reader Cooper

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

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Cole Palmer is open to joining Manchester United after becoming ‘disillusioned’ at Chelsea, according to reports.

The 23-year-old is currently in his third season at Stamford Bridge following his £42.5 million move from Manchester City in 2023.

Palmer hit the ground running at Chelsea with 38 goals in his first two seasons but the midfielder has struggled for form this season due to injury.

According to The Sun, Palmer is said to be ‘frustrated’ by the tactical changes this season and is unhappy with the departure of Nicolas Jackson, who joined Bayern Munich on loan last summer.

The report adds that Palmer would be open to joining Manchester United, his boyhood club, this summer but they are prioritising moves for at least one new central midfielder and a left-back.

Chelsea, meanwhile, consider Palmer as one of their ‘untouchable’ players and remain in a strong negotiating position as the England international still has seven years left to run on his contract.

Rosenior’s side are now out of the Champions League and currently sit sixth in the Premier League following back-to-back defeats to Newcastle United and Everton.

Last week, Enzo Fernandez raised doubts over his own future at Chelsea following the 3-0 defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Asked if he could guarantee that he will be a Chelsea player next season, Fernandez told ESPN Argentina: ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.

‘There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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Tiger Woods’ girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, is furious with the golfer’s DUI arrest after crashing his car in Florida on Friday, according to a source close to the couple.

Woods flipped his Range Rover as he attempted to overtake a truck at high speed near his home on Jupiter Island at around 2am local time.

Police claim that Woods ‘did exemplify signs of impairment’ but the 50-year-old passed a breathalyser test with ‘triple zeros’.

Woods, however, refused to take a urinary analysis test and drug recognition experts at the scene of the crash believe the golfer was impaired by ‘some type of medication or drug’.

He was held in custody in Martin County Jail for around eight hours before being released on bail.

Woods has been dating Vanessa, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr, since March last year and a source close to the couple told The Daily Mail that the pair held ‘crunch talks’ after he was released from jail on Friday evening.

‘She’s not happy at all,’ the source said.

‘She’s both disappointed and a little bit p***ed, if I’m being honest. It’s a definite red flag and she told him that he’s going to get this sorted out, and that she’s going to require that.

‘He has to get things under control, or she’s not going to stick around.

‘This is a concerned girlfriend expressing boundaries and saying that he’s got to get his s*** together, like right now.

‘He’s very apologetic, from what I’ve heard. [He] wants to fix this. He’s embarrassed, he’s mortified at all this… and this is really humiliating for it to happen again. And Vanessa is embarrassed too. All her friends are like, “girl, what the hell?”.

‘They don’t argue very much, and she didn’t exactly say that they’re fighting, but she’s making her feelings abundantly clear. There’s no mistaking that this is a big deal to her.’

Vanessa posted two stories on her Instagram account on Saturday but they made no reference to Woods’ crash and instead highlighter her daughter Kai’s trip to the Miami Open tennis tournament.

Woods, meanwhile, underwent emergency surgery after suffering multiple leg injuries following a serious car accident in California in February 2021.

He was also arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 after being found asleep at the wheel of his car. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving after it emerged he had had five prescription drugs in his system at the time.

In 2009, Woods crashed into a fire hydrant outside his home and the incident triggered admissions of serial infidelity which led to his seven-year marriage ending.

Earlier this week, Woods returned to competitive golf for the first time in over a year at the final night of the TGL season on Tuesday.

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The Gwynedd beauty spot has been undergoing upgrades to help it cope with the vast number of summer tourists

A Gwynedd beach renowned for lengthy queues and vanishing cars is set to fully reopen next week. Morfa Bychan Beach – also known as Black Rock Sands – has been undergoing improvements to manage over-tourism challenges.

The vast beach near Porthmadog is among only a small number of Welsh beaches that allow drivers to bring cars, vans and motorhomes directly onto the sand. Its rapid tides and narrow access road are infamous for stranding unsuspecting motorists.

During last year’s extended dry spell an estimated 1,500 vehicles were parking on the beach during peak-season weekends. Enormous queues formed on the access road extending back two miles to Morfa Bychan village, underlining the need for enhancements. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter her.

In February, Cyngor Gwynedd started work on an “enhanced traffic management system”. The access road is being widened to better accommodate two-way traffic, alongside which a footpath is being added for pedestrians. New signage is also being installed along with a fresh barrier system and improved disabled parking.

By improving access infrastructure, the council aims to establish a “high-quality welcoming arrival area” that will “elevate the overall visitor experience”. The local authority hopes this will “reduce the pressure and impact of tourism” at one of Gwynedd’s most popular coastal destinations.

Some residents have requested improved signage for caravans to prevent them from obstructing a narrow, winding shortcut to the beach from the A497. Others have campaigned for outdoor washing facilities and extra bins to tackle an escalating litter problem, reports North Wales Live.

Recent photographs published by the council reveal the road remains a building site. Nevertheless, the local authority is optimistic it will reopen on Wednesday, April 1.

A spokesperson said: “The improvement works have been undertaken to enhance access arrangements and ensure the entrance to the beach remains safe and suitable for continued use. Thanks to residents, local businesses and visitors for their patience and cooperation while these essential works have been carried out.”

Throughout the road’s refurbishment, standard access to the beach has been unavailable. However, it can still be accessed via a diversion: this directs traffic along Beach Road, Morfa Bychan, to the southern end of the beach. The diversion will stay in place until April 1.

Whether the improvements will reduce the number of vehicles becoming stuck in soft sand or engulfed by the sea remains to be seen. Last year approximately 30 cars and motorhomes were recovered from the popular beach after coming to a sticky end.

Parking charges will remain the same this year. It costs £8 to drive a car onto the beach for the day. For caravans and motorhomes it’s £16. Blue badge holders receive half price entry after 4pm. Payment is by card only, at the beach entrance. Fees are applicable between 1 April and 30 September – during winter, entry is free.

From 1 April, season permits will be available to purchase online, priced as follows:

• Permanent Porthmadog ward residents: Cars – £26.25; Large vehicles – £52.50.
• Permanent Gwynedd residents: Cars – £63; Large vehicles – £126.
• Non-Gwynedd residents: Cars – £84; Large vehicles – £168.