Follow TV Tropes

Following

History TheGuardsMustBeCrazy / VideoGames

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''VideoGame/SnufkinMelodyOfMoominvalley'': PoliceAreUseless in many ways, especially in how they guard the parks. They'll chase after Snufkin if they see him in the parks, but have a very small line of sight and very little object permanence, as they'll forget about him and go back to their posts if you get out of their sight for a few seconds. They also won't notice that an object is being pushed in front of them to block their vision, and can't hear Snufkin playing his music next to them (but will get distracted by any other sound, including the sound of his drum being carried through a pipe).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Averted to the best of the {{UsefulNotes/GBA}}'s abilities with the StealthBasedMission in ''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission''. The space pirates aboard the mothership just sort of wander around... until one spots you. Even after you've ditched them, they never go back to their relaxed state, will continue to run around looking for you, and will even lay ambushes. It's actually so difficult to sneak through the entire thing without being seen that it's considered an EasterEgg and many players don't even realize you can do it at all.

to:

* Averted to the best of the {{UsefulNotes/GBA}}'s {{Platform/GBA}}'s abilities with the StealthBasedMission in ''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission''. The space pirates aboard the mothership just sort of wander around... until one spots you. Even after you've ditched them, they never go back to their relaxed state, will continue to run around looking for you, and will even lay ambushes. It's actually so difficult to sneak through the entire thing without being seen that it's considered an EasterEgg and many players don't even realize you can do it at all.



* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldIsNotEnough'' for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, the guards in the mission "Night Watch" will open fire on you as soon as they spot you even though they know you're just supposed to be in your room. You are meant to disable the cameras by hacking the controls in the various surveillance rooms, but you can instead shoots the cameras directly causing them to explode...It's a quiet night and none of the guards hear or see these cameras exploding (unless they are within a few feet of you)-- not even the guards in the surveillance rooms who should plainly see the camera feeds going out.

to:

* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldIsNotEnough'' for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, Platform/Nintendo64, the guards in the mission "Night Watch" will open fire on you as soon as they spot you even though they know you're just supposed to be in your room. You are meant to disable the cameras by hacking the controls in the various surveillance rooms, but you can instead shoots the cameras directly causing them to explode...It's a quiet night and none of the guards hear or see these cameras exploding (unless they are within a few feet of you)-- not even the guards in the surveillance rooms who should plainly see the camera feeds going out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** There's also a quirk in the programming that means sometimes the character can see you even though the A.I. cannot. Successfully sneaking past a person while their head slowly swivels to follow your every move is... weird, to say the least.

to:

*** There's also a quirk in the programming that means sometimes the character model can see you even though the A.I. cannot. Successfully sneaking past a person while their head slowly swivels to follow your every move is... weird, to say the least.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando'': Nice of Thug-4-Less boss and his lackeys to let Ratchet keep all his weapons while imprisoning him and Clank, which inevitably backfires when Clank finds a way out and disables the forcefield blocking the way out of their cell.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Lampshaded and played for laughs during one of the EnemyMine missions where Heller's disguised as a soldier. The game degrades him to bog-standard human, save for the ability to pick up already-detached armaments from military vehicles (TOW launchers and the like). One of the other soldiers will be shocked and ask if he's been working out, and accept Heller explanation ([[ImAHumanitarian "I eat a lot of protein"]]) without question.

to:

** Lampshaded and played for laughs during one of the EnemyMine missions where Heller's disguised as a soldier. The game degrades him to bog-standard human, save for the ability to pick up already-detached armaments from military vehicles (TOW launchers and the like). One of the other soldiers will be shocked and ask if he's been working out, and then accept Heller Heller's explanation ([[ImAHumanitarian "I eat a lot of protein"]]) without question.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Lampshaded and played for laughs during one of the EnemyMine missions where Heller's disguised as a soldier. The game degrades him to bog-standard human, save for the ability to pick up already-detached armaments from military vehicles (TOW launchers and the like). One of the other soldiers will be shocked and ask if he's been working out, and accept Heller explanation ([[ImAHumanitarian "I eat a lot of protein"]]) without question.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** One of the most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress section of that game. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot or other weapons in your inventory. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either. The Gerudo Guards you fight when freeing the carpenters can use a special spin attack that delivers an [[OneHitKill instant KO]], and you end up in their prison after the fact, and then after escaping the prison, you have to fight that same guard again.

to:

*** One of the most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress section of that game. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot or other weapons in your inventory. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either. The Gerudo Guards you fight when freeing the carpenters can use a special spin attack that delivers an [[OneHitKill instant KO]], and you end up in their prison after the fact, and then after escaping the prison, you have to fight that same guard again.again until you're successful.

Added: 670

Changed: 337

Removed: 425

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Speaking of Zelda, the guards in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' don't react unless you're several feet in front of them. This applies to both the Hyrule Castle and Gerudo Fortress guards. As far as the Gerudo Guards, the ones you fight when freeing the carpenters can use a special spin attack that delivers an [[OneHitKill instant KO]], and you end up in their prison after the fact. Then after escaping the prison, you have to fight that same guard again.

to:

** Speaking of Zelda, the guards in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' don't react unless you're several feet in front of them. This applies to both them.
*** One of
the Hyrule Castle and most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress guards. As far as section of that game. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot or other weapons in your inventory. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either. The Gerudo Guards, the ones Guards you fight when freeing the carpenters can use a special spin attack that delivers an [[OneHitKill instant KO]], and you end up in their prison after the fact. Then fact, and then after escaping the prison, you have to fight that same guard again.



** One of the most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress section in ''Ocarina of Time''. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot or other weapons in your inventory. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either.

Changed: 419

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel portion]] of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the prison with you, which is [[CardboardPrison easily escapable via a secret passage]]. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.

to:

** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel stealth portion]] of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', where [[NoGearLevel you lose your sword after being launched in]] Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the prison with you, which is [[CardboardPrison easily escapable via a secret passage]]. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.



** Speaking of Zelda, the guards in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' don't react unless you're several feet in front of them.

to:

** Speaking of Zelda, the guards in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' don't react unless you're several feet in front of them. This applies to both the Hyrule Castle and Gerudo Fortress guards. As far as the Gerudo Guards, the ones you fight when freeing the carpenters can use a special spin attack that delivers an [[OneHitKill instant KO]], and you end up in their prison after the fact. Then after escaping the prison, you have to fight that same guard again.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel portion]] of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the [[CardboardPrison prison]] with you. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.

to:

** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel portion]] of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the prison with you, which is [[CardboardPrison prison]] with you.easily escapable via a secret passage]]. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel]] portion of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the [[CardboardPrison prison]] with you. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.

to:

** In the early [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel]] portion [[NoGearLevel portion]] of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the [[CardboardPrison prison]] with you. However, there are [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy Incompetent guards?]] In our video games?! It's more likely than you think.

to:

[[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy Incompetent guards?]] In our video games?! VideoGames?! It's more likely than you think.



** In the early stealth portion of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the prison with you. However, there are barrels that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.

to:

** In the early stealth [[StealthBasedMission stealth]] [[NoGearLevel]] portion of the Forsaken Fortress in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Moblins patrol small areas of the fortress, and if they see you, it's into the prison [[CardboardPrison prison]] with you. However, there are barrels [[MobileShrubbery barrels]] that you can hide in. You can even move about as long as they're not looking, because the fact that a barrel is somewhere that it wasn't tells them ''absolutely nothing''. This is possibly justified by their being explicitly stated to be really, really stupid. That said, they ''will'' notice if you're moving in front of them, or if a Rat assaults you, so they're not ''completely'' incompetent.



** One of the most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress section in ''Ocarina of Time''. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either.

to:

** One of the most blatant examples is the Gerudo Fortress section in ''Ocarina of Time''. For some reason, even after the 20th time you escape, they still can't be bothered to take away your Hookshot.Hookshot or other weapons in your inventory. One could chalk it up to them [[{{Hammerspace}} not knowing where he keeps the thing]], but they also never think to confiscate the sword and shield blatantly strapped to his back, either.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** For more specific examples see below but in general the role of the guards in the series can be summed up as one of the following: [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess incompetent]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker non-existent]], or an [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast active hindrance]] to the player character.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'':

to:

* ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'':''Franchise/{{Hitman}}'':
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ''VideoGame/OfficePointRescue'' contains probably the most incompetent terrorists in existence. You can have a large-scale shootout in one room... and in another adjacent one, terrorist guards would be chilling and oblivious to the sound of gunshots. Heck, you can gun down enemies in an L-shaped corridor with a loud shotgun and mooks in the other side of the bend will not hear a thing.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* The Viper Manor guards/Acacia Dragoons in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross''. If Kid is in the party when they get captured shortly after entering the manor, she goads them into opening the cell by hurling insults at them, calling them chicken and "dag-nuts". When the party then [[DressingAsTheEnemy dresses up in Dragoon outfits]], they can ask high-ranking officials obviously suspicious questions about the manor and General Viper without raising any suspicions. Only Luccia and [[spoiler:Belthasar]] see through the PaperThinDisguise, and that's only because they're in locations where dragoons aren't allowed.

to:

* The Viper Manor guards/Acacia Dragoons in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross''. If Kid is in the party when they you get captured shortly after entering the manor, she goads them into opening the cell by hurling insults at them, calling them chicken and "dag-nuts". When the party then [[DressingAsTheEnemy dresses up in Dragoon outfits]], they you can ask high-ranking officials obviously suspicious questions about the manor and General Viper without raising any suspicions. Only Luccia and [[spoiler:Belthasar]] see through the PaperThinDisguise, and that's only because they're you're in locations where dragoons aren't allowed.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* The Viper Manor guards/Acacia Dragoons in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross''. If Kid is in the party when they get captured shortly after entering the manor, she goads them into opening the cell by hurling insults at them, calling them chicken and "dag-nuts". When the party then [[DressingAsTheEnemy dresses up in Dragoon outfits]], they can ask high-ranking officials obviously suspicious questions about the manor and General Viper without raising any suspicions. Only Luccia and [[spoiler:Belthasar]] see through the PaperThinDisguise, and that's only because they're in locations where dragoons aren't allowed.
** If you choose Pierre to help you infiltrate the manor, you then have the option to let him think up a plan to get the guards to open the gates. Said plan involves him [[WoundedGazelleGambit feigning sick]] right in front of the guards he just talked to, in the most obvious over-acted way possible. The guards don't buy it, but they inexplicably open the gate anyway.
** The Porre soldiers later in the game don't fare much better, being eventually trampled by a group of easily-avoidable stampeding dragons (who resemble riding dinosaurs the size of horses more than actual dragons). The commander avoids this fate because he was earlier squashed by the army's murder-bot by applying PercussiveMaintenance to it to get it started and then not moving out of the way.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** Even though guards will swiftly descend upon you if you attack an NPC unprovoked, they'll do nothing if you ''you'' are attacked, though they also won't prosecute you for killing the enemies in self-defense. There's at least one mod where, among other fixes, if you're attacked by thugs in full view of city guards, they'll actually do their job and help you.

to:

*** Even though guards will swiftly descend upon you if you attack an NPC unprovoked, they'll do nothing if you ''you'' are attacked, though they also won't prosecute you for killing the enemies in self-defense. There's However, there's at least one mod where, among other fixes, if you're attacked by thugs in full view of city guards, they'll actually do their job and help you.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

*** Even though guards will swiftly descend upon you if you attack an NPC unprovoked, they'll do nothing if you ''you'' are attacked, though they also won't prosecute you for killing the enemies in self-defense. There's at least one mod where, among other fixes, if you're attacked by thugs in full view of city guards, they'll actually do their job and help you.

Changed: 451

Removed: 391

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Fair enough.


** In ''VideoGame/FableII'', should you accidentally or on purpose, murder ONE villager, the guards will then constantly say, "I won't let you murder anyone else!"
** Spire guards will also proceed to be dumb as wood, never mind the fact that this guy (or girl) [[spoiler:broke out of an unbreakable collar, probably killed about 50 of your mates with powerful spells, just hacked them to pieces or shot their [[GroinAttack balls off]]]]. Charge to certain death! [[spoiler:Doubly so after the most powerful will user on the planet gets his powers back.]]

to:

** In ''VideoGame/FableII'', should you accidentally or on purpose, murder ONE villager, the guards will then constantly say, "I won't let you murder anyone else!"
**
Spire guards will also proceed to be are dumb as wood, never wood. Never mind the fact that this guy (or girl) [[spoiler:broke out of an unbreakable collar, probably killed about 50 of your mates with powerful spells, just hacked them to pieces or shot their [[GroinAttack balls off]]]]. Charge to certain death! [[spoiler:Doubly so after the most powerful will user on the planet gets his powers back.]]



** The Deku Palace guards in ''Majora's Mask'' are completely insane as well: Normally, the palace is only open to Deku Royalty, but you're allowed in because it's a special occasion ([[ItMakesSenseInContext the king is punishing the monkey he thinks kidnapped his daughter]]). You're explicitly told not to go anywhere except the throne room. If you get caught in the Palace Garden instead, you get thrown out... at which point, the guards will ''immediately allow you to re-enter with nothing more than a tounge-lashing.'' And they'll keep letting you in no matter how many times you prove your willingness to ignore their instructions. Moreover, if you switch masks or revert to human form in front of the Deku King before his daughter has been rescued, you will be thrown out of the Palace on the spot; it is only safe to do so after clearing the Woodfall Temple and bringing the princess home.

to:

** The Deku Palace guards in ''Majora's Mask'' are completely insane as well: Normally, the palace is only open to Deku Royalty, but you're allowed in because it's a special occasion ([[ItMakesSenseInContext the king is punishing the monkey he thinks kidnapped his daughter]]). You're explicitly told not to go anywhere except the throne room. If you get caught in the Palace Garden instead, you get thrown out... at which point, the guards will ''immediately allow you to re-enter with nothing more than a tounge-lashing.tongue-lashing.'' And they'll keep letting you in no matter how many times you prove your willingness to ignore their instructions. Moreover, if you switch masks or revert to human form in front of the Deku King before his daughter has been rescued, you will be thrown out of the Palace on the spot; it is only safe to do so after clearing the Woodfall Temple and bringing the princess home.



* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'': The Imp guards outside the main part of the [[DiscOneFinalDungeon Moon Cave]] dismiss Amaterasu as a normal wolf (perfectly reasonable though, in that only a few can see her [[FacialMarkings markings]]), but when she comes back wearing a ''[[PaperThinDisguise piece of paper over her face]]'', they immediately let Ammy through, telling her to "Get back to [her] post!"

to:

* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'': The Imp guards outside the main part of the [[DiscOneFinalDungeon Moon Cave]] dismiss Amaterasu as a normal wolf (perfectly reasonable though, reasonable, in that only a few can see her [[FacialMarkings markings]]), but when she comes back wearing a ''[[PaperThinDisguise piece of paper over her face]]'', they immediately let Ammy through, telling her to "Get back to [her] post!"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* At the beginning of ''VisualNovel/{{Sunrider}} 4: The Captain's Return'', there's a warrant out for Kayto Shields's arrest, and every world in PACT-controlled space has security checkpoints with guards on the lookout for him. Despite this, security is so lax on the backwater mining colony where Kayto has gone to ground that he doesn't even need to conceal his identity: he tells the guards exactly who he is every time he goes to work, ''[[CassandraTruth and they don't believe him]]''. Everyone thinks the real Kayto Shields died six years ago, so the guards write him off as a delusional drunk trying to impersonate the famous starship captain.

Top