10 Best Enemy AI In Video Games
6. Nemesis System - Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor/War
Every action has a consequence in Monolith's Middle-earth games. Well, almost.
Sauron's not going to get an inexplicable power boost if you pick a random flower in the barren fields of Mordor, but how the player interacts with his minions as Talion will have a knock-on effect, either immediately or hours after the fact. That's thanks to Monolith's unique Nemesis System, which procedurally reacts to seemingly inconsequential events.
The biggest, meanest, and ugliest of Sauron's forces, the Uruk, aren't just footsoldiers to be slaughtered en masse. There are plenty of nameless orcs meandering around the open world, but many have names, abilities, and a reputation to uphold and form the backbone of their dark master's armies.
Win or lose to any of them, and they'll not only remember prior events but waste no time reminding Talion of what transpired last they met in a spittle-filled rant.
Some will want revenge for previous transgressions while others will boast about their promotions to captain for having kicked your arse. What comes around goes around.
Not before or since has any contemporary managed to ape Monolith's efforts, and considering publisher Warner Bros. went so far as to patent the entire thing to deter copycats, we're unlikely to enjoy a personalized adventure quite like it again.