Has anyone lost to the AI yet?

[Papa Khann]

First off, let me say that I'm very impressed with the maps, user interface, and overall mechanics of the game. I also like the new scale, new supply scheme, and direct fire scheme. Well done on all counts.

But I have to ask, has anyone found the AI to be any kind of challenge at all?

Thus far, I've played the Gazala scenario twice (once from each side), with the computer set to the Recommended setting each time. And in each game, the computer AI has folded up like a wet paper sack.

Specifically, the computer seems to have real problems positioning it's HQ and Supply units out of harms way. It also seems to be hard pressed to conduct any sort of attack.

As the British, the AI repeatedly allowed me to encircle entire formations and destroy them at will. I won by almost 4000 points.

As the Axis, the AI seemed to do just slightly better, but I still won by over 1000 points.

Am I missing something? After playing against the Battles in Italy AI, which I found to be very capable, this comes as an extreme disappointment.

As I said, I like the game, but it may be difficult to recommend this to anyone unless they plan on playing most of their games PBEM.

I'd be interested to hear other players thoughts on this.

Papa

[Toby42]

This and other comments about the AI, or lack of it, have prompted me to pass on this title for now!

[blastpop]

I've played a few games and the game does seem to play a better defender than attacker.

If you are a good player- take the A.I. and bump it up a notch or two.

Personally I think its a great game. Maybe PBEM is your thing.

[BuddyDharma]

I got my butt handed to me in Novorossisk, but that was largely because I missunderstood the nature of the scenario.

Thing is, I've never met a programed opponent who posed a major challenge without a handicap, and I don't think that that is going to change until they find a way to code imagination.

But they do need to find a way to teach the computer how important HQ and supply units are. It doesn't seem to protect them or hunt them as much as it should.

[sol_invictus]

I got beat when playing as the Russians in Novorissisk with the AI at Computer + setting. I won as the Germans previously and figured that I would win as the Russians as well. I played fairly casually and didn't really put much time into planning my attacks and was still winning up until the last few turns, but the German artillery started to really pound my poor Russian Marines and then launched some blistering attack swith the armor reinforcements to leave my units as hollowed out shells. I ended up loosing by about a hundred points. I fully expect to win the rematch.

I won fairly easily as the Japanese in the Saipan scenario with the AI at Computer +. I haven't played any other scenarios yet since I am waiting for the patch.

[Fred98]

How can anybody imagine in any game whatsoever, that the AI will be a good opponent!
 
In every comoputer game I have played, except perhaps chess, the AI is not a good opponet.
 
It is however a good teacher in the basics of most games.
 
 

[hank]

OK, I'll admit.  I lost to the AI in the market garden scenario.  I was Allies.  I got an overwhelming loss.  ... even though I was able to save a few Brits west of Arnheim ... at Beetlebop or whatever that place was called ... sorry I'm on lunch at work and can't remember the name ... the place where Sean Connery and Anthony Hopkins were ... [&:] 
 
But, I'm about to finish the Gazala sce with me playing Axis.  I'll be winning that one tonight or tomorrow. ... either decisive or marginal ... and I've left the desert full of dead allied units. 
 
... I've always viewed the AI as a sparring partner in these hex based strategy games.  I'd rather play pbem (which is coming up soon).  Joe's right about chess, its probably one of the only games that has some titles that are really tough ... BUT, chess has a much more limited number of possible outcomes ... its on a defined board with a defined number of pieces.  These map games are just too complex to expect the same kind of AI competency a good chess program has.  (personally I have Shredder 9.  Its an awesome chess game for any who care to know)
 
 

[Howard7x]

I ended with a draw my first time round at Market Garden as the Allies. Every other battle ive won hands down. I can easily destroy every single japanease unit at saipan and at Novorissisk the allies are never aggressive enough and hence you win so easily. Im dissapointed with the AI but i like these games for PBEM mainly so im not too fussed.
 
BII AI was far superior in my opinion, especially in Operation Avalanche.
 
I still play the overlord scenario in BIN against the AI quite often and its far superior to BF as well.
 
Prehaps with time the AI in BF might get better as people understand how to use the card system.