 | It is STILL all about the AI.(1) | Category: GeneralNovember-10-2013 11:14 AM PST (9 years ago)  |
| It seems that the focus of the game remains exclusively the loot. Which is surely important, but the gaping hole in this game must certainly be the AI. As of right now, there is exactly one kind of engagement, the 'can they insta-gib me' engagement. Basically, the monsters about are so stupid, and the players so powerful, that if you can't be insta-gibbed, you can't lose. We need a greater focus on the mechanics of every engagement. There are huge opportunities to do this too. At blizzcon, they appear to have organized the archers to back up and attack. They also allow pathing 'priority' (as where the crusader 'pushes' the scarabs), which means that pathing could take a titanic leap forward. I can see the strategic component of the game making a big come-back. Beyond even this, Blizz has a big oportunity to make some really compelling mechanics changes between D3 and the expo. Currently, A1-5 normal is exactly the same as A1-5 inferno. This can be completely reversed here, with major changes to game mechanics between the different difficulties and different acts. If this isn't done, I would consider it a major failure. Overall though, I saw nearly nothing deling with what I consider the bland, uninspired battle mechanics. Lore, itemization, and monster graphics appear well in hand, but that isn't enough to make good GAMEPLAY. In essence, if this is just a 'whirl for the win' expo, I can't really say I could be convinced to proceed. | ||
 | It is STILL all about the AI.(10) | November-11-2013 5:15 PM PST (9 years ago) |
| It may not specifically be an upgrade to AI, but Nephalem Rifts offer random monsters in random dungeons. This creates situations you're not used to, and sometimes the results are very unexpected. Players who tried out Reaper of Souls at Blizzcon gave us feedback about how cool it was to be put in new situations, and how they had to adapt their tactics accordingly. You can take a look at this Adventure Mode blog if you want to read a little more about Nephalem Rifts, and how they're randomized. | ||
