I partially agree with you. I like playing the game, but it does have some problems. The biggest thing is that you can fairly easily get screwed on cards and have no real options. There’s also a common occurrence that one player will be put into an unwinnable position every game. The other problem is the expansions make the game worse and significantly longer, if you happen to be the player that gets screwed it’s just more waiting to lose.
Also double that number if anyone is learning the game. Then if the box lists a per player time of 90 minutes or higher add another half hour per player.
Hot digity daffodil is easy to use on a regular basis.
Large neoprene mats are heavy enough stay in place on a table, and I’d just roll it up when you’re done. Large mats get expensive, so you might look into just covering a board with felt, it may be cheaper if you have the tools and are handy.
Action selection games might ruin your idea, like in Race for the Galaxy, everyone picks actions and everyone gets to do all actions selected. Puerto Rico is similar, but actions are selected in turn order instead of simultaneously.
Dominion has the possession card, which gives player A control over player B’s turn, and player A gets all cards acquired by player B. There’s also cards that grant extra turns, with varying conditions.
Red Dragon Inn has a basic turn order, but every player have many cards that can be played anytime or in reaction to certain events. There’s also the gambling mechanic which gives everyone a turn in a mini game that doesn’t affect the main turns.
Concordia is the world champion for ugliest box to best game ratio.
Innis is one of the best looking games I’ve played. It’s also a solid area control game.