If I said the AI in GT4 was better than the AI in previous GT games, many of you would say that I was a f’ing genius because it could not get much worse. The AI has been slightly upgraded, but it is nothing to write home about; marginally better at best.
Of course I have not spent much time with the game, and I have not experimented on all the courses or raced with anything other than my lowly Honda PRELUDE Si VTEC ’91. GT3 featured what I refer to as “pattern” racing – the AI cars would always take the same line no matter what; they always bumped other cars at the same point on the track, they always made mistakes at the same point, and they always attempted to get back on line even if it required going through another car.
After two days with the game I do not think GT4 is as bad as previous GT versions, but I guess my opinion could change as I get more time with the game. The AI still features plenty of bumping, but it looks like the cars are not adamant about staying on line no matter the consequences – that is an improvement.
In one race I tired to slow down, while on line, to see if the cars behind me would scatter or just bump into each other. To my surprise, the closest CPU car attempted to go left then right (I was doing my best Schumacher) before finally bumping into my right side as we were entering a turn. It was too optimistic for a pass at that point, but the CPU attempted anyway, but at least they did not try to bump me the heck off the road. Meanwhile in my rearview mirror I noticed that two of the other cars bumped, one went off-roading.
I have experienced many failed passing attempts; these usually result in the CPU coming along the side of my car and attempting to “push” me out of the way. This is bad, but in my opinion it is not as bad as always trying to get back on the racing line no matter. Kind of like saying “But mom, I am only a little pregnant.”
Like previous GT games, I do not think GT4 will win in prizes for best “racing” action, but there does seem to be some improvements. Stay tuned …
