GTA IV Annoyances #1: AI? What AI?
Yeah, you must’ve heard that Grand Theft Auto IV is all that, but it doesn’t mean we should all be raving fanboys. Aside from the good stuff I’m churning out about the game, rest assured that there will be well-placed rants, like this post.
What am I going to lambast this time? Artificial intelligence or the lack thereof.
As Niko Bellic, you’ve been tasked to clear a certain area of bad guys with big guns. As you proceed to the location and start shooting, you notice that your enemies are a bunch of brainless gun fodder. The Euphoria engine does nothing to make gunfights more enjoyable. So much for being advertised as having actions and reactions being “synthesized” in real time.
How bad was the AI? Thugs stand around and wait to be shot like it were a shooting gallery. Sure, enemies hide behind cover from time to time, but their actions are predictable since all one has to do is time shots. Even teammates are oblivious to gunfire and are unaware of cover.
And apparently, people in Liberty City don’t know what a grenade looks like.
Cops are another matter entirely. They resort to rushing tactics and head straight into your line of fire. Can’t these so-called professionals do basic tactics like cover fire and flanking? How’s this for stupid: policemen voluntarily jump off a building if you hide behind the edge. Don’t believe me? Watch this:
If it weren’t for your enemies’ numbers, Niko Bellic would never have the need to be taken to a hospital.
Tags: ai, grand_theft_auto, grand_theft_auto_4, GTA, gta_4, gta_iv, ps3_games, xbox_360_games
5 opinions for GTA IV Annoyances #1: AI? What AI?
GTA IV Cheats
May 13, 2008 at 8:38 am
Yeah, the AI in this title is somewhat ridiculous. I really expected more from the developers with the eupohoria engine. However to their defense the game looks great. And if thats the tradeoff (less ai for more realistic graphics) then I’m willing to trade.
Nice blog btw.
Mike
May 17, 2008 at 6:07 am
@GTA IV Cheats
Thanks for the compliment! :D Hard to get one in this day and age since there are just so many video game blogs out there.
I would have to disagree with you on your take regarding graphics vs. AI. :) AI is a huge contributor to gameplay and enjoyment. Make ‘em too smart and the game becomes too tough. Stupid enemies makes a game awfully boring. Making the AI just right would change the experience completely.
I would be a hypocrite if I say that graphics don’t matter because it does. However, I can still make do with older graphics (I still play Starcraft to this very day). If the price for semi-decent visuals is a great game with just the right AI, then so be it.
I would rather play a GTA game with PS2-quality graphics and F.E.A.R.-like AI than one with a next-gen coat of visuals and moronic AI. GTA IV still has that gun fodder AI that I love to hate. I think It would be more fun if enemies were a tad smarter.
Michael
May 20, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Believe it or not that actually sounds like good news for gamers like me. I haven’t purchased GTA IV yet but I did complete the last two.
Thing is I don’t play first person shooters at all; I mainly prefer sports management games. But GTA is too clever, humorous, and engaging to ignore.
With less AI the game actually becomes more fun for me. I know this sounds lame but maybe less AI is the concession Rockstar felt it had to make to fully cross over. We casual first person shooters don’t want to be frustrated by realistic adversaries. Does that make sense?
Mike
May 21, 2008 at 2:31 am
Hey Michael, great to see you here. ;) Very good point with the AI. Some can be really smart and scary, like in F.E.A.R., so casual gamers might get put off by such enemies.
However, perhaps it’s not too much to ask that the enemies won’t stay in one spot and wait for you to shoot them. I can understand that some enemies aren’t military types that perform complex maneuvers, so perhaps looking for cover would be the most advanced move they could make.
I did notice that GTA IV, like its previous installments, did not have any difficulty settings. Perhaps it would be more helpful for casual gamers if there was an easy setting.
But hey, since you’ve finished the previous GTAs, I don’t know if you’re really as casual as you say, hehe. The franchise has been known to be quite punishing in terms of difficulty. I have a confession: I’ve yet to finish previous GTA games because they’re really difficult, especially those crazy car chases.
Michael
May 21, 2008 at 6:19 am
(blushing) I never really put my casual-ness into question like that. lol. You’re probably right. Once I dive into something I have to finish it.
The most difficult parts for me in San Andreas was the ridiculous plane tasks and in Vice City the stupid boat chases. Both of which I read that they removed from the game this time around. Perhaps even because of demand from “casual gamers”.
I’ve always seen the deficient AI of the police and bad guys as another satiric aspect of a very funny game. Especially the cops jumping off the top of buildings (also happened in Vice City if I am remembering correctly).
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