10 Best Enemy AI In Video Games
7. The Xenomorph - Alien: Isolation
Besides being the best piece of spin-off media to ever come out of the franchise, Alien: Isolation's other most notable achievement is pulling off one hell of an illusion.
It might feel like the Xenomorph stalking Amanda Ripley's every step aboard the Sevastopol space station is learning from her behaviour in real-time, but it's all smoke and mirrors. Creative Assembly gameplay designer Gary Napper discussed how he and the team managed to pull off such a feat in various interviews shortly before Isolation's release; the revelation is fascinating.
The Xenomorph's movement 'decisions' are governed by AI to a degree, but it doesn't learn directly from external stimuli, i.e. player behaviour. Checking common hiding places, building resistance to weaknesses, and choosing efficient ambush opportunities.
These are all complex actions governed by an invisible skill tree that unlocks throughout the campaign's runtime so that when it comes time to escape, Sevastapol's apex predator seems as though it has perfectly adapted to its surroundings.
To exacerbate the overwhelming sense of unease, these faux-learned abilities don't always trigger at the same time on repeat playthroughs. No AI is unscripted, but Creative Assembly's efforts come oh-so-close to making science-fiction reality.