Enemy Design
Here is the first rendition of the enemy AI. It is not complete but it has the beginnings of a foundation in its programming that can allow me to make modifications to how it behaves.
The AI itself has 2 core states during combat: Observation and Attacking. When it is observing, the AI will strafe around the player and move closer if the player is far enough away. Eventually this will be expanded upon to give the enemies more options during observation. After observing, the enemy will decide on a small number of attacks to commit to and once those are completed, it will return back to observation.
As this project is closer to a stylish hack’n’slash, the AI itself is far too difficult with its current parameters. Once you start fighting 3 enemies, it becomes overwhelming. This can be remedied thanks to the foundation of the AI I was talking about before by increasing observation times and movement options, while also lowering the number of attacks it can do at a time. On the opposite front, this programming can allow me to create strong single enemies, like mini-bosses or main story bosses that have low observation times, and a variety of devasting attacks to keep the player on their toes in a 1 on 1 fight.
Boss Design
This is the first build of the enemy boss AI. It has three different states: far away, mid-range and close-range.
The boss will currently just run to you when in the far away state.
If the boss is in the mid-range he will choose between an array of different movement behaviours such as dodging or strafing which can lead into attacks that close the distance.
Once the boss is close to the player, it will perform an array of close-range attacks that will in future knock the player away a distance.
Here is a demonstration of the Boss’s stun attack. If the player gets caught, he will perform a great slam that will send the player flying.
Also present is an early concept of the boss’s weapon.
The boss’s AI has been improved and cycles through certain attacks more regularly. His jump attack has also been improved where he doesn’t hover in the air for so long before slamming down.
There is also an early build of the sword but it is going to be reworked to be much bigger to fit the character of the boss.
At the start you may notice that you can block, however, it has been since removed as it disrupts the flow of combat and presents the player with too many options to avoid damage making them almost invincible.