As much as I adore Dominion, I have to confess a love for Vladimír Chvátil's games. I own Galaxy Trucker, Dungeon Lords, and Dungeon Petz. I've played 1/3 of a game of Through the Ages, but I like what I saw. I've yet to play Space Alert, but it sounds like it's up my alley.
I love the complexities that are inherent in these games. Sure, Galaxy Trucker seems like a simple ship-building game, but the fact that the board is heavily against you means that you have to take into consideration many factors that threaten to annihilate you. I like Dungeon Lords for the same reason, though DL doesn't even look simple. Still, it's about weathering the threat that is coming your way. In this game, you can actually manipulate the threat so you are sitting pretty. Dungeon Petz has a pretty complex system of caring for your pets, and it's not too uncommon to lose a pet to disease or unhappiness or escape.
I like all of his games that I've experienced so far. Unfortunately, my group isn't into them as much as I am. What's a man to do? Is there a better way to incorporate these games into a gaming group? The tutorials in Dungeon Lords are handy (and necessary IMO). There wasn't a tutorial for Dungeon Pets, but I wish there was. There was frustration during the game in how to care for a pet. I should have just taken a fully grown monster, deal out a bunch of cards, and explain what would be needed to keep the pet alive and happy. With Galaxy Trucker, when I introduce new players, I at least forbid looking at the event cards for everyone. Not only does it put me on somewhat equal footing with everyone else, but it doesn't slow them down when they try to figure out the cards. This is not a place for analysis paralysis. I also never flip the hourglass with new players. I let them flip the hourglass on their own time.
I'd love to get in a demo of Space Alert. I'm hesitant to buy it, since I have three (four if you count GT's expansion) beautiful Chvátil games sitting in my cabinet doing nothing for me.
I think a possible problem is that I'm into the games way more than the rest of my friends. As such, I have a better understanding of what is happening. It's discouraging to face such a steep learning curve and get stomped on (except for Dungeon Lords; I somehow don't do as well in that game as I feel I should). Maybe I should just bring out the game and sit out, choosing only to advise throughout the game.