For the shorter, simpler game, go with Kingdomino. The two games seem similar but feel dramatically different. Both games perfectly balance the competition for tiles with the personal satisfaction of building your personal province without direct interference. In both games, players take tiles from a central space and add the tiles to their personal princedom or kingdom board (depending on the game). For me, it's a toss-up between one of the best board games around in all categories, The Castles of Burgundy, and a solid game with killer two-player tile-laying action, Kingdomino. Many people have played Carcassonne, one of the most popular entries of the genre, but it's actually not the best example of the game - and certainly not the best for two players. Tile-placement games are a mainstay for many board game enthusiasts, in part because of the fun of building a unique board each time you play.
