Project TH: Is This Korean Shooter Set to Revive F.E.A.R.'s Pioneering AI?
Some games just stick with you. For many, Monolith's classic shooter F.E.A.R. is one of them. Recent news about Warner Bros closing down Monolith brings F.E.A.R. to mind even more. Though Monolith created Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and No One Lives Forever, it's F.E.A.R., released a decade ago in 2005, that holds a special place, especially for its pioneering AI.
F.E.A.R.'s Legacy: More Than Just Jump Scares
Remember F.E.A.R.? It wasn't just about jump scares. It was about how the enemies attacked. Those clone soldiers didn't just run at you. They flanked you. Flanking maneuvers, coordinated charges, tactical retreats – it felt like fighting a truly intelligent force. Battling through drab office complexes and blacked-out labs was tense because you always felt hunted by something clever.
Project TH: A New Korean Tactical Shooter Emerges
Any game with potential for clever enemies draws immediate interest. This led to the discovery of a development clip for a Korean tactical shooter now titled Project TH (short for 'Project Two Hearts'). At first glance, it looks like a mix of Splinter Cell stealth and Ghost Recon: Wildlands open-world action. But delving into the game's AI movement and navigation sparks a F.E.A.R. flashback.
Developer EVR Studio states that "In Project TH, the AI system is designed to actively employ environmental geometry to apply constant pressure on the player." The AI in Project TH is situationally aware, employing "dynamic navigation" for tactical movement. Flanking, maneuvering, and using the environment to their benefit are key.
Dynamic Navigation: Tactical Pressure Defined
What makes this "dynamic navigation" unique? EVR explains the AI does not employ pre-programmed paths. It recalculates its path in real-time, tracking your movements and choosing the most effective tactical path. Enemies vault over walls, open doors strategically, and even drop from windows or ledges to surprise you. In the dev video, a soldier enemy drops down in front of the player from above and goes straight into close combat – aggressive and intelligent.
It's the overall feel of the AI movement that resonates with F.E.A.R.'s intense shootouts. Baddies flow in to envelope you, bringing pressure from many sides, in a deliberate, almost eerie pace. The video's end shows two baddies entering a level almost simultaneously through a doorway and a window, with a third climbing over boxes. It is coordinated and intelligent, reminiscent of F.E.A.R.'s action.
A Different Kind of Tension in a New Setting
"The AI prefers environment-driven movement," EVR Studio notes, "ensuring it does not simply chase but rather applies tactical pressure by wisely using the game world." Flanking, intercepting, adapting – it's all part of the package. This dynamic strategy aims to make every combat encounter unpredictable and intense.
Project TH is not a duplicate of F.E.A.R. It's a third-person cover shooter, setting a more measured pace than F.E.A.R.'s frenetic FPS action. But the underlying feel – enemies actively trying to outsmart you – seems alive in Project TH.
Project TH: One to Watch
There’s no release date for Project TH yet, and it seems in heavy development. But after seeing its AI in action, it’s shot up the list of games to watch. We will eagerly follow its progress, hoping it captures the magic of genuinely smart, challenging enemy AI that made games like F.E.A.R. unforgettable.
