mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

Positive Experience Reflection for Agents in Interactive Text Environments

arXiv 2411.02223 ↗First posted 4 Nov 2024cs.CL cs.AI cs.LGcited by 2

On the map: LLM agents and tool use → Reinforcement learning for LLM agents

Abstract (arXiv)

Intelligent agents designed for interactive environments face significant challenges in text-based games, a domain that demands complex reasoning and adaptability. While agents based on large language models (LLMs) using self-reflection have shown promise, they struggle when initially successful and exhibit reduced effectiveness when using smaller LLMs. We introduce Sweet&Sour, a novel approach that addresses these limitations in existing reflection methods by incorporating positive experiences and managed memory to enrich the context available to the agent at decision time. Our comprehensive analysis spans both closed- and open-source LLMs and demonstrates the effectiveness of Sweet&Sour in improving agent performance, particularly in scenarios where previous approaches fall short.

Key facts. Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Reinforcement learning for LLM agents, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use. Builds on 25 of its 29 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 4 Nov 2024.

Builds on

25 of 29 references.

Closest ancestors · 4

Same direction, newest first

  1. 2024A Survey on Large Language Model-Based Game Agents2 Apr
  2. 2024Agent-Pro: Learning to Evolve via Policy-Level Reflection and Optimization27 Feb
  3. 2023Retroformer: Retrospective Large Language Agents with Policy Gradient Optimization4 Aug
  4. 2023Reflexion: Language Agents with Verbal Reinforcement Learning20 Mar

Other references · 21

  1. 2022ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Modelscited by 8,695
  2. 2023Self-Refine: Iterative Refinement with Self-Feedbackcited by 3,442
  3. 2023The Rise and Potential of Large Language Model Based Agents: A Surveycited by 1,439
  4. 2020ALFWorld: Aligning Text and Embodied Environments for Interactive Learningcited by 1,205
  5. 2021Ethical and social risks of harm from Language Modelscited by 966
  6. 2024Understanding the planning of LLM agents: A surveycited by 421
  7. 2023Describe, Explain, Plan and Select: Interactive Planning with Large Language Models Enables Open-World Multi-Task Agentscited by 398
  8. 2022ScienceWorld: Is your Agent Smarter than a 5th Grader?cited by 327
  9. 2018TextWorld: A Learning Environment for Text-based Gamescited by 310
  10. 2019Interactive Fiction Games: A Colossal Adventurecited by 168
  11. 2023SwiftSage: A Generative Agent with Fast and Slow Thinking for Complex Interactive Taskscited by 168
  12. 2023Recommender AI Agent: Integrating Large Language Models for Interactive Recommendationscited by 131
9 more
  1. 2020Keep CALM and Explore: Language Models for Action Generation in Text-based Gamescited by 108
  2. 2023ProAgent: Building Proactive Cooperative Agents with Large Language Modelscited by 98
  3. 2015Deep Reinforcement Learning with a Natural Language Action Spacecited by 88
  4. 2015Language Understanding for Text-based Games Using Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 71
  5. 2024Self-Contrast: Better Reflection Through Inconsistent Solving Perspectivescited by 71
  6. 2018Playing Text-Adventure Games with Graph-Based Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 53
  7. 2020Text-based RL Agents with Commonsense Knowledge: New Challenges, Environments and Baselinescited by 37
  8. 2024When Hindsight is Not 20/20: Testing Limits on Reflective Thinking in Large Language Modelscited by 12
  9. 2018Towards Solving Text-based Games by Producing Adaptive Action Spacescited by 5

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 2.

2 papers.

Similar, not cited

Close in wording, no citation either way

  1. 2026S3Gym: Can LLMs Turn Self-Testing and Self-Judging into Self-Improvement?
  2. 2026Towards Improving Sequential Decision-Making in LLM Agents via Experience Memory
  3. 2026Experience-Sensitive Game Learning: A Behavioral Study of Humans and Language Agents
  4. 2026Metis: Bridging Text and Code Memory for Self-Evolving Agents
  5. 2026The World Won't Wait: Evaluating and Teaching Agents Under a Live Clock
  6. 2023Language Decision Transformers with Exponential Tilt for Interactive Text Environments
  7. 2025Remember Me, Refine Me: A Dynamic Procedural Memory Framework for Experience-Driven Agent Evolution
  8. 2026OdysseyArena: Benchmarking Large Language Models For Long-Horizon, Active and Inductive Interactions