I'm referring to games like Agricola, Puerto Rico, and Settlers of Catan. But a few themes seem to pop up in each game.
One is the importance of brick/stone/wood for building. Without improvements, your farms might not amount to much.
Another is the need to keep a balance between "income" (as measured in money or food), and victory points. A third is to keep a balance between advancing your own interests, and an eye on blocking threats from others.
Also, there is the element that while some commodities are (a little) more valuable than others under "normal" conditions, if "everyone" wants the same "great" commodity (e.g. stone), that becomes less valuable, while an otherwise ok commodity thqt is "neglected" can become "great."
Are these (and other features) common between the games mentioned (and similar ones)? More to the point, if I learn to play one well (or at least to a certain level of skill), will this give me a head start on learning the others?
For instance, although the mechanics are different, knowing how to play either Monopoly or Easy Money will give you a leg up on learning the other.