The games look interesting. I might think about the China vs. US one.
As for Victory Point games. I like a game like Settler and how it handles victory points. In order to get them, you have to do stuff that makes sense to the game.
My wargaming buddy bought Waterloo 20 and we played it 5 or 6 times. It's great. You can totally lose in the first turn, but whatever, it sets up in one minute or less. The production is nice too.
Warrior Knights (FFG) uses VPs (influence) as the game timer and whoever has the most wins, except if someone manages the military victory - but at least you get the influence for owning cities which you have to kick somone's ass for to get hold of.
Games
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