The Ultimate Compilation of Open-World Games with Mind-Blowing, Unpredictable AI

Highlights

Unpredictable AI in open-world games can add charm and entertainment, but also present challenges for players.

Games like

Baldur's Gate 3

,

Cyberpunk 2077

, and

Skyrim

feature AI that can surprise and disrupt players' actions.

The AI in

Grand Theft Auto 5

and

Far Cry 6

can be impressive and smart but also provide humorous moments and unpredictable behavior.

In certain open-world games, the dangers do not arise from the vast map sizes, but rather from the erratic behavior of the AI. Even top-notch open-world games may feature AI enemies that act unpredictably, leading players to experience frustration or amusement at the events unfolding.

The unpredictable nature of the AI in open-world games can hinder players in numerous ways. It could be a guard with exceptional situational awareness, a follower who constantly obstructs progress, or an NPC character engaging in unexpected and eccentric actions.

7 Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest game making waves in the gaming industry. It has gained immense popularity and currently holds a top position on the Steam Charts. The game's appeal lies in its AI, which adds to its endless charm. Players encounter AI characters in various amusing, compromising, and awkward situations, making their exploration experience worthwhile.

Apart from the scripted and unexpected AI moments, players are challenged by the unpredictable enemy AI. These enemies exhibit unique combat tactics and intelligently collaborate with their allies to make the player's life harder. For instance, an enemy, who was previously sleeping, may be abruptly moved by their companion, saving their life unexpectedly.

6 Cyberpunk 2077

In a dystopian future game, the AI's unexpected behavior is hardly surprising. Cyberpunk 2077 presents numerous ways in which the AI can make things difficult for V and Johnny Silverhand. Whether it's reckless drivers causing collisions with V or sudden appearances of gang members in Night City who engage in shooting and looting, the game's AI adds an element of unpredictability and danger.

This aspect benefits Cyberpunk 2077, as players are faced with a variety of enemy types to challenge them. While Cyberpsychos always pose a threat, players must carefully evaluate their level of danger and anticipate their opponents' strategic moves.

5 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The AI in Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls series has often been the subject of jokes, but these jests are usually made out of affection and fondness. Perhaps the most notorious instance of amusing AI can be found in Skyrim, where enemies are occasionally hit in the head with arrows, only to dismiss it as their own imagination playing tricks on them.

However, the AI's truly unpredictable nature lies in their inclination to deliberately cause harm or avoid it altogether. Some of the AI characters in Skyrim may flee from the player or engage in combat only to surrender later. Companions and followers can also be bothersome as they obstruct the player's path and become irritated when pushed aside. In certain situations, the unpredictable AI may even alert all enemies to the player's presence without any noticeable movement on their part.

4 Grand Theft Auto 5

In Grand Theft Auto 5, the AI demonstrates impressive intelligence, particularly when enemies unexpectedly become unstoppable like the Terminator. These enemies, at times randomly, possess an absurd level of durability. Consequently, players can repeatedly run them over, shoot them, or even blow them up, with no effect as these enemies effortlessly rise to their feet again.

The AI showcased in Grand Theft Auto 5 serves as a remarkable embodiment of NPC and enemy capabilities. However, it also creates amusing situations, such as enemies deliberately colliding with players' vehicles or engaging in wild police pursuits.

3 Death Stranding

In Death Stranding, the focus is not solely on combat. The game introduces different enemy types, such as MULES and BTs, each posing their own challenges due to their unique AI. Dealing with MULES can be perplexing as players are unsure of the exact level of threat they pose. It remains uncertain whether they aim to eliminate Sam Bridges or merely confiscate the delivery parcels he carries on his back.

These enemies exhibit a wide range of tactics, encompassing the use of live gunfire and even theft of parcels. However, the real enigma lies in the BTs. It is impossible to predict when a BT zone will infect the map, and even more disconcerting is the appearance of powerful BTs that emerge to confront Sam when he is pulled into their depths.

2 Far Cry 6

The lack of intelligence displayed by enemies in the Far Cry games, including Far Cry 6, is no secret. These enemies often exhibit strange reactions or fail to react at all to the absurd events happening around them. For instance, they may abruptly halt their cars to shoot at a passing animal or incessantly attack the player character who is simply trying to reach the next mission objective.

The behavior of the Far Cry 6 AI in terms of pathing and combat can be perplexing, but its unpredictable nature adds a certain charm to the game, distinguishing it from simply being labeled as terrible AI. Although there is room for improvement, some players might appreciate the challenge and fun offered by the game's AI.

1 Elden Ring

The AI in Elden Ring poses the most formidable challenges for players. While daunting cliffs and invading players may claim their fair share of victims, it is the AI, both in the form of regular enemies and formidable bosses, that will prove to be the true adversary for most players. With an array of unpredictable battles, courtesy of overwhelming numbers and unique attack patterns, players must be prepared for the unexpected. The unpredictability of the fighting styles exhibited by many Elden Ring bosses adds an additional layer of difficulty, as each boss possesses a distinct approach to combat, refusing to simply take a defensive stance and await the player's attacks. For instance, adversaries like Malenia Blade of Miquella are guaranteed to bring about the player's demise at least once due to the challenging nature of their AI.