Sol
Orbited by Three Question Marks
Posts: 2,443
AI has improved considerably also. A lot of games still use crappy AI algorithms, but there are a few games out (I'll leave STALKER and Oblivion out of it, since they take AI to textreme new heights, ie. real time decision making, real time unscripted conversations, full life simulation, etc) that have managed to create life-like opponents and allies.
FarCry: Your enemies in this game are extremely smart (90% of the time). They use squad tactics to track you down, they sneak through foliage to catch you off guard, they go for cover and use it apropriately, and if they can't see you, but have heard you, they will even go on their own search to see if they can spot you. This makes the game have a high replayability.
Unreal Tournament 2004: The best deathmatch bots I've ever played. They truely act like real human opponents. I really can't find any downsides to them besides the fact that sometimes they will just walk right past certain items or health when they could have put that item to good use.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory: This is one game were you can actually instill FEAR into a AI character. I love to play the lighthouse level and go around making noises and just spooking everyone out without actually touching anyone. It's great to see everyone SLOWLY walking around checking corners looking for the guy who whispered "pssst... hey you" 1 foot from their neck. Once the AI has spotted you, you better know what to do in a tense situation. These guys are a sight to behold when they finally know where you are (or think... muhawawa). They'll shoot to keep you behind cover, they'll run for cover and use it amazingly. If you stay hidden long enough, they will eventually and obviously not wanting too, (they usually say they are petrified. Perfect. :D) come check out where you were last seen.
Got a permanent feather in my cap;
Got a stretch to my stride;
a stroll to my step;
