Most board game aficionados end up not playing Catan very much, but it's hard to think of a game that has introduced more people to the genre successfully.
- take 30-90 minutes on average, not hours or days
- have a relatively simple set of rules without too many special cases
I'd suggest that the super complicated/involved are just one niche that some people are into. And much like books or movies, different people are different things.
I like long complex games that make Catan look like Go Fish.
I have played regularly with a group of friends for years now both in person and online. They're slightly less hardcore.
Catan is one of the games we constantly have running turn based. It never gets old.
It's the perfect balance of strategy, luck, complexity, and fun.
There is even a junior version that says it is for ages 6+. I admittedly have never played it but have heard that it can work for some smart 4 year olds with a little guidance.
What are some good games you would recommend?