The ZOC Bond mechanic gives units the ability to cover multi-hex frontage in a 'solid' line without requiring either hard ZOCs (or just a boatload of smaller units) while still allowing you to slide units that are on their way to being surrounded but not there yet to escape.ĮA:A is one of those games that will probably not appeal to some people for its inscrutable combat system based on chit draws (as well as its card-driven-ness), but that's part of why I like it combat is much more unpredictable than in most wargames. I love the system in A'44 in general - there's so much that's just a little different from what you might expect in a wargame (for instance, you can trace supply through ONE enemy ZOC, or retreat through ONE) but WORKS.

Honorable mention to FAB: Bulge for distilling the situation down to the essentials in a game that's playable in an evening. I'd say Ardennes '44 with the caveat that Enemy Action: Ardennes MIGHT supplant it I just haven't spent enough time with it yet to be sure.

Battle of the bulge map animation