New computer games: Underwater survival and steam trains

Fans of this anime series should be happy with this new beat 'em up version from Bandai Namco. Son Goku, Son Gohan, Vegeta, Frieza and other heroes are again among the characters in Dragon Ball Fighter Z. — Bandai Namco/dpa

Build, survive, fight – these are just some of the roles offered by the latest computer games. Here's a look at the latest highlights.

Subnautica

In this game the player has landed on an alien planet – or rather under its water surface – after a spaceship crashes. The colourful underwater world with its fluorescent algae, bizarre underwater formations and exotic creatures is amazing to behold, but it shouldn't be forgotten that Subnautica is all about survival.

Fish, algae and other living things serve as food while quartz, salt and other scrap can be used to produce vital tools and equipment.

From the rescue capsule floating on the water's surface, the player uses fins and oxygen to dive into deep, mysterious areas in this single player game. Virtual reality fans will be happy with the game's support for the Oculus Rift. This youth-friendly title is available for PCs and Macs and costs around US$25 (RM97.99).

Dragon Ball Fighter Z

Fans of this anime series should be happy with this new beat 'em up version from Bandai Namco. Son Goku, Son Gohan, Vegeta, Frieza and other heroes are again among the characters in Dragon Ball Fighter Z.

Altogether there are eleven playable figures which can compete against each other on seven stages. Also interesting is the possibility of action-packed team fights, with each team having up to three fighters.

As with the predecessor titles of the Dragon Ball universe, the action is fast and furious. Once again the popular special attacks of the characters are an elementary part of the dynamic combat system.

For the Playstation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One the game costs around US$60 (RM235), the PC version is €10 (RM48.18) cheaper. It's suitable for players aged 12 and older.

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition

This legendary 2D combat game has been a household name since the late 1980s and now publisher Capcom has brought out a special edition with an arcade mode.

Gamers who bought Streetfighter V can update to this edition free of charge while nostalgia fans will be able to review 30 years of Street Fighter history.

Six game modes are available. The characters have all had a visual makeover but have also been optimised in terms of their abilities. Fans are also likely to be happy about a new battle mode and new special attacks, the so-called V-trigger moves. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition is available for PCs and the PS4 and costs around US$40 (RM157).

Railway Empire

In this economic simulation, players control the fortunes of a railway company in the United States at the beginning of the 19th century. The game from Kalypso starts with the choice of an entrepreneurial character and a starting region, i.e. either the east or west coast.

Then the goal is to plan the route as intelligently as possible, lay the tracks and get the right locomotives and wagons onto them. Railway Empire is available for Xbox One, PS4 and PCs and costs around US$60. The game has no age restriction. — dpa