My third foray into wargames is Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! (second edition). Of the three war-games I've played, this one certainly has the best rule book (perhaps this is related to it being the 2nd edition?) and although there are a lot of elements, this system is logical, albeit a bit more abstracted than my favorite war game (Ambush!).
Criticisms are small and for the tiles, which oddly have the directional arrow of the vehicle/infantry pointing skyward rather than the direction that the vehicle/infantry is facing/pointing their weapons. (The directionality of fire is an otherwise great mechanic of this game.) Also, why is the flank defense listed above/before the front defense? Other than these two counterintuitive decisions, the system is logical, the counters are good, the map is great and the game play is swift, though requires strategy and foresight.
Although Awakening the Bear! lacks the narrative development, characterization and immersive vividness of Ambush! and Codeword Cromwell, the physical elements of the game are very good, and it would be possible to teach somebody how to play this in a relatively short time. An enjoyable, solid system that trades the immersive qualities of heavier wargames for ease of use and faster action, and for these reasons will remain in my collection.