As much as I’m a fan of meaty strategy games like Diplomacy and Game of Thrones, the best games are the ones you actually take out of the closet to play!
Usually I find myself playing in groups where some people are unfamiliar with a given game, so I also prefer games that are fun for new players. For me, those games are:
Pandemic Original or Legacy: one of the best cooperative games I’ve played. Fun for groups or just two players. My wife and I had the best time playing Legacy Season 1 over many months. There’s something so magical about a game that changes AND self destructs as you play it.
Acquire: easy to learn and set up, with the right blend of luck and strategy so that players of mixed skill levels can enjoy together.
Carcassonne: same positives as above with slightly higher learning curve.
Puerto Rico: quite a bit more complex than the above, but relatively accessible and quite fun once you learn the strategy. Takes a game or two to really enjoy.
Blokus: a fantastic informal game for a lunch break. Easy to learn with deep strategy. Quick game best for 4 players.
Eight minute empires: fast paced and easy to learn civilization building game.