I'm getting a bit bored of RTS. I don't like to play online because everyone meta-games it to death in ranked matches and anything that isn't a ranked match is always some "NO RUSH FOR 18,000 HOURS" crap that does not appeal to me. I mainly play against the AI's because of this. I used to get tons of thrills from playing against the AI, but not so much anymore. Allow me to explain the downfalls of AI in RTS games.
1. Higher difficulties usually means the AI begins to cheat. In Warcraft 3, there is no difference in how the AI plays from normal to hard. The difference is that the AI's units only cost 1 gold each. Don't believe me? Go play against a hard AI, record the demo, and watch his gold reserves. 1 gold is it.
This is a huge let down for me. I don't feel that my victory was worth while after I beat an AI that cheats. It's just not very fun for me. It's like playing against a your four year old brother.
2. AI is generally bad. I haven't seen any improvement to any RTS AI I've played against since about 2002. They all use the same tactics that don't work, or simply don't perform worth a damn. I still see AI use the same tactics they have been using since I started playing RTS way back when WC2 came out. Of course there have been improvements, but it really is not enough.
This is the biggest problem I have with RTS. The AI's just can't keep up with me, even when they cheat. I often find myself handicapping myself against a cheating AI. Give me a challenge, please.
Some simple things that I think would really improve the AI RTS that AI in other games (Gal Civ 2 as an example) already utilize.
1. Adapt to your strategies over time. If I'm building wonders in Rise of Nations a lot, the AI should be rushing me with his units. If I'm spamming machine guns in Company of Heroes, build mortars or tech up to tier 3 for light vehicles.
2. Be more consistent. Sometimes the enemy will put up a decent fight, sometimes they'll not do much of anything. What gives? It's not like the enemy is trying to adapt to me, it's just performing better sometimes than others.
3. Use the map better. This is especially important in RTS like Company of Heroes where using the map is incredibly important. I've only seen the AI accidentally use choke points. I know they were accidents because it was simply where our units met and not where it decided to place them.
4. Develop a personality. I think this would go a long way in making the AI worthwhile. Having multiple AI's all with different names and play styles all that adapt after playing with you would be the best approach to keeping things interesting and new. Having them say things to you a-la AOE3, except more intelligently, would be great.
There's only so much RTS I can play anymore. As a result I've been playing more 4X style games where the AI is 'better'. I really, really wish the AI's in these games weren't bad.
Can anyone recommend me an RTS where the AI isn't trashy?
1. Higher difficulties usually means the AI begins to cheat. In Warcraft 3, there is no difference in how the AI plays from normal to hard. The difference is that the AI's units only cost 1 gold each. Don't believe me? Go play against a hard AI, record the demo, and watch his gold reserves. 1 gold is it.
This is a huge let down for me. I don't feel that my victory was worth while after I beat an AI that cheats. It's just not very fun for me. It's like playing against a your four year old brother.
2. AI is generally bad. I haven't seen any improvement to any RTS AI I've played against since about 2002. They all use the same tactics that don't work, or simply don't perform worth a damn. I still see AI use the same tactics they have been using since I started playing RTS way back when WC2 came out. Of course there have been improvements, but it really is not enough.
This is the biggest problem I have with RTS. The AI's just can't keep up with me, even when they cheat. I often find myself handicapping myself against a cheating AI. Give me a challenge, please.
Some simple things that I think would really improve the AI RTS that AI in other games (Gal Civ 2 as an example) already utilize.
1. Adapt to your strategies over time. If I'm building wonders in Rise of Nations a lot, the AI should be rushing me with his units. If I'm spamming machine guns in Company of Heroes, build mortars or tech up to tier 3 for light vehicles.
2. Be more consistent. Sometimes the enemy will put up a decent fight, sometimes they'll not do much of anything. What gives? It's not like the enemy is trying to adapt to me, it's just performing better sometimes than others.
3. Use the map better. This is especially important in RTS like Company of Heroes where using the map is incredibly important. I've only seen the AI accidentally use choke points. I know they were accidents because it was simply where our units met and not where it decided to place them.
4. Develop a personality. I think this would go a long way in making the AI worthwhile. Having multiple AI's all with different names and play styles all that adapt after playing with you would be the best approach to keeping things interesting and new. Having them say things to you a-la AOE3, except more intelligently, would be great.
There's only so much RTS I can play anymore. As a result I've been playing more 4X style games where the AI is 'better'. I really, really wish the AI's in these games weren't bad.
Can anyone recommend me an RTS where the AI isn't trashy?
