It's no secret that Back 4 Blood is best enjoyed by playing with three friends. Its co-op-focused gameplay explores the formula created with Left 4 Dead with a modern spin, but not everyone playing games enjoys multiplayer experiences. Unfortunately, while the option to play solo exists, Back 4 Blood doesn't offer a whole lot for those looking to cleanse the world of Ridden on their own. Recently, the game was criticized for the way that it gates players using the "solo campaign" option from earning Supply Points, achievements/trophies, and unlocking new Cleaners to play as.

All of that is bad enough on its own, however, perhaps the worst offense that solo play commits is that the player has to play with the braindead bots that Back 4 Blood has to offer. Issues with the game's A.I. companions have been in the public eye ever since the open Beta that the game ran back in August, but Turtle Rock assured fans that they would be fixed for the final release. Now that the game is out, it's clear that a lot of work still needs to be done to fix the game's A.I., but one feature could be added that would greatly improve the experience of playing alone.

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Changing Back 4 Blood's Ping to a Command

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Back 4 Blood features a ping system similar to that of many other cooperative shooters. The system was first included in Apex Legends as a way to non-verbally communicate to fellow squad mates, and systems like it have made appearances in plenty of other titles including Back 4 Blood. In the game, the ping button allows the player to highlight important items such as weapons, healing kits, and copper for all Cleaners to clearly see. It can also be used to mark areas with icons denoting danger or direction, making it a versatile tool for anyone playing online that doesn't have a microphone.

Unfortunately, the button is essentially useless for anyone playing alone, as the bots can't be communicated with or warned of danger. In fact, the bots can't do much at all, as they're incapable of completing objectives, carrying items like gas cans, and often run directly in front of the player as they're opening fire on the Ridden. Changing the ping to a command button might be able to fix some of the issues that players are experiencing.

For example, players are the only ones capable of turning on the many generators and heavy machinery that are featured throughout Back 4 Blood's acts. If players could simply ping the objective and have the bots take care of it, they would be able to spend that time getting ready for the incoming horde.

What's more, the player could then personally kit the bot's equipment by pinging higher-tiered weapons for them to pick up. This same system could be used for objectives that require the Cleaners to pick up items and deliver them to other places by pinging the item for a bot to grab, and then pinging the delivery point for them to set it down.

Obviously, this sort of thing isn't an overnight addition, but it could certainly fix a lot of issues that lone players have been running into with bots not being able to complete objectives. Unfortunately, simply allowing them to be bigger participants in the game doesn't fix the fact that their A.I. is oftentimes very foolish and not helpful. However, it can free up the player to take care of the zombie-killing instead of relying on the unreliable bots to cover them while they turn on generators, deliver packages, and dispatch of Back 4 Blood's boss enemies.

Back 4 Blood is available now for PC. PS4. PS5. Xbox One. and Xbox Series X/S.

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