'Hawk-eye' AI
Ok, let’s move on and forget the interaction interface with it’s over-active use on objects that will only ever have one use or function. Let’s have a look at the stealth side of Aurora Watching as this is key to the game itself. You’ve got three speeds to move at, all of which create differing amounts of noise. This noise registers on your satellite display as a glowing blue circle around you so you can see how far the noise you’re making carries. Though running is far faster than creeping, with walking somewhere in between the two, you’ll soon find that the creep and walk speeds are just far too slow to move around the maps and with enemies showing all around you, you’re forced to either take your time and creep about or save time, run in with guns blazing against guards who heard you coming a mile off.
This is where another niggle pops up, and that’s one of the enemy AI’s sight and hearing. Much is made in the training missions of noise and sights alerting guards. As first seen in Thief, you can pick bodies up and hide them, but to be honest, you move so slowly that it really isn’t worth the bother most of the time. But the biggest problem is that guards can hear your footsteps with no trouble at all but fire off your gun and although the sound meter fills your satellite display, the guards around the corner or in a room behind closed doors won’t hear a thing. They’ll come running if you fail to take a guard down with your first shot and he yells out, but otherwise you’re safe. Coupled to this is the guard’s eyesight, which is something along the lines of Steve Austin’s eye in the Bionic Man. They can spot you a mile off, even if you’re sneaking around, using the camera to see around corners, the mearest glimpse of your elbow and they’re off, popping shots your way and yelling for their mates. Half the time, even with the display showing where they are, you’ll suddenly have the alarm go up because although you thought you were well hidden a guard has miraculously seen a piece of fluff hanging from your elbow…
