How does this compare to Jambo or Hansa (if I could choose only one)? I imagine the games are quite different, but the trade theme is similar.

I tried Puerto Rico (trade theme) with the 2-player variant and it it fell completely flat.

I think this game is very different from either Hansa or Jambo. With 2 players it is actually 2 games. The first is money management as if you have too little, your opponent can win all the auctions too easily and gain a large advantage from all the items. You have to be much more concerned with this in a 2 player game as you don't have other people bidding to keep things balanced. Then you have the meat of the game which is using the items you win with your limited actions to most efficiently generate victory points in the various categories. There is a lot more going on in Goa than Hansa or Jambo and it takes longer. Not that the other games are bad, they are actually quite good but are lighter and quicker games.

To my tastes this is an excellent two-player game, a mediocre three-player game, and a poor four-player game.

Really? I think it's pretty useless for 2 players only.

I'm quite the opposite. I think it's an entertaining 2 player game, but as a 4 player game it totally sucks, pure randomness. 3 players is only ok, there are many others better.

Very good with 2. Very random with 4. 3 is sort of in between.

Hm, maybe I'll revisit this with 2.

Saint Petersburg is an excellent two player game. It's been said elsewhere, but play balance is improved if the and the are not paired together, either in the 2 or 3 player game.

Gg

One of my wife's favorite games.

I prefer two players with this game. And no, it does not make it easy to know what the other player has chosen. Since you each choose two roles, half the roles are discarded and while you know which ones your opponent MIGHT have chosen, you never know for sure.

Having two roles each round means that you have a better chance of getting a role you want and it means that you can often play two roles off each other.

This game works awesome with two players, in my opinion. And i still can never seem to guess who the other player's character's are! I have never played with more than three, but I keep thinking that I wouldn't like it if I had to only take one role.

Only played this game with 3,4 and 8 players. Worked really well with 3 and 4, but poor for 8. Haven't tried it with 2.

I sold this game recently, we somehow never got the hang of it, playing it with 2 persons (too simple, too easy to tell which role was chosen, and still too much luck too), and since we disliked it with 2 persons, we never even got round to playing it with 4 people. There are so many good games.

Agreed, my wife and I both love to play this game as a 2 player and its a lot of fun. A great game to play on holiday during the quiet times.

Much agreed. Great 2 player game. Fiance's favorite. It also travels very well (without scoreboard). We throw all the pieces into a small business card box to travel and camp.

I'd agree, of all the games I own, this would best fit your requirements. Works well with 2, 3 or 4 players, and has some skill involved as well (unlike the next best option, Carcassonne).

I've played this with both 2 and 4 players... Quite enjoyable both times, although I tend to play 2 players more often...

I played this with 2 player and it was boring and dull.
Choosing a role and 'interaction' start making sense only at least with three players.

I give a for San Juan as a two-player game. Some remove the Libraries from the deck, but if you use them, remember that the Governor may only use the Library Privilege in one of his/her two roles.

Gg

I would add the following Colovini games: Alexandros, Carolus Magnus, Clans, Magna Grecia, and Meridian. In my experience, it's a hallmark of his games to play well throughout the stated player range.

You can also add Ticket to Ride Europe, this is great fun with two as well

I second this!

IMO, NickB's 2 player variant is excellent.

The solitare version isn't too bad either.

I think that this is the best of the recommendations. It was designed to play well 2-4: the puzzle-like board is evidence of this. As a 2-player game it has a nice mixture of strategic and tactical decisions. Game becomes more tactical as you add more players but still very enjoyable. My wife really likes it and I'll play it over lunch with friends. Plays quite quickly with two. If you don't have it---get it!