So you can make it so that everyone only has 8 directions of fire to choose from. You can make the diagonals only fire up to 8 spaces,
You know what, it took me a couple days and then I suddenly came back to your post...
for a straight forward simple combat mechanic... I LOVE THIS.
you can shoot in 8 directions, if one of those crystal clear directions is obstructed, you dont have LoS. It just may not get any easier man.
This also has another cool side effect, more strategy is suddenly involved in where units decide to move, it becomes more important to line up, and adds a bit more depth to positioning for attack and running away from attacks.
PLUS non hardcore traditional wargamers and/or younger gamers will instantly be familiar and comfortable with this *chess-like* approach
Have you personally applied this to anything and play tested it? Any red flags?
Any published games in existence using this?
~Brahm
p.s.
Great name (i get the reference), and Abba + NV = Mama Mia!
If you are willing to sacrafice realism for simplicty, esp considering its a kids game from what I gather, I could suggest the uber easy method of simply counting the squares from your guy to the bad guy with your finger.
as long as you can count squares (within your *range*) and reach the target withought passing through a square with blocking terrain, you can hit him.
thats the easiest, but there will be a healthy dose of shooting around corners of course, not sure if you are willing to go that low.