Slitherine

There was a change to the push back mechanism in the 1.5.3 update (April/May 2020?), which reduces the frequency of push backs:

"o Push Backs: In order to more closely match the overall distance infantry units get pushed back in the game with accounts of historical battles, Push Backs will be less frequent. Units facing orthogonally (facing a square edge) will only get pushed back every second time they suffer a “lost badly” combat result, starting with the first time they suffer such a result. Units facing diagonally will only get pushed back every third time they suffer a “lost badly” combat result, starting with the second time they suffer such a result. Overall this simulates the unit getting pushed back half a square-side distance each time they suffer a “lost badly” combat result (instead of a whole square-side orthogonally or almost 1.5 square-sides diagonally, as previously)."

Actually its one of the best features that makes the game dynamic and unlocks new roles for the reserves. Otherwise everyone simply would go wide looking for the best match ups in terms of POA + trying wide enveloping moves. If anything diagonal push backs should me more frequent.

There is the situation where you are about to destroy an enemy infantry unit through auto-rout, commit another infantry unit (or not) to finish the job faster; and it magically manages to pull out. And your units stand there like idiots...

Or you maneuver a unit for a flanking attack and... you get the idea.

Just wanted to voice my amazement about how confidently wrong about history some people can be. These tend to be the loudest and loftiest for some reason.

The push back and pursuit mechanics are the best feature of this game for me. No other game comes close to modelling this chaotic - and enraging for commanders! - aspect of ancient warfare.

I am a fan of pursuit and pushback (in this game, I mean).

I guess it is mainly a matter of players who like having maximum control over their units, their game, their fate while other players prefer more chaos, surprise, uncontrolled things.