Dominion is one of the only games I know that's as fun for two players as it is for 3 or more players. Everyone seems to love this game - it appeals to non-gamers even more than Settlers. It's been out only 2 years, and it's already won 7 awards (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_(game)#Awards) including Mensa Select and German Game of the Year. You can play online for free - just the basic set, with only a few cards from the expansions (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/348956/play-dominion-onl...)
As an aside, I was shocked when I saw the name "Donald X. Vaccarino" listed on the cover of Dominion, because I remember that name. Back in 1998 or so, he maintained a page of original aphorisms. I can't find the page any more, but one of them realy stuck in my mind, to the point that I remember it word for word, along with his name, to this day. It was "any action you have to rationalize the morality of is evil".
As an aside, I was shocked when I saw the name "Donald X. Vaccarino" listed on the cover of Dominion, because I remember that name. Back in 1998 or so, he maintained a page of original aphorisms. I can't find the page any more, but one of them realy stuck in my mind, to the point that I remember it word for word, along with his name, to this day. It was "any action you have to rationalize the morality of is evil".