Not the fellow you're replying to, but I've also read both books. I enjoyed The Player of Games very much. Three Body Problem was also good, but I found some characters to be frustratingly irrational (i.e., it feels like some people were doing things simply because the plot needed a character to do that action, rather than out of any meaningful motivation). Still worth your time - the Chinese cultural background was an interesting touch for me. I've not read the two sequels, but they also sound interesting.

I absolutely hate the Culture series, I find it predictable, boring and unoriginal.

The Three body problem and its sequels (it's a trilogy) I find absolutely fascinating. Be warned, this is very dry writing with very flat characters, mostly digestible because of the exotic Chinese background which is noticeable, but this book is all about ideas, so in many ways completely the opposite of the space opera Culture series.

Despite its length, much of which I consider filler, these are one of a handful of books which really made me question our position in the universe.

The second book, The Dark Forest, is my favorite. The Three body problem is actually my least favorite, written more like a mystery thriller rather than sci-fi.

And yes, you absolutely need to read all three parts.

Completely different, both worth reading.

I too am curious about this calibration and think that's a good book to use for it.