In particular, I like the part where you build your deck from a set of themed sub-decks before the start, and then it's up to you to find the synergies between those themes. Not sure if there's an existing term for that mechanic. I think it may count as a form of a deckbuilder, but editing the deck's contents isn't part of the main game loop. Maybe a deck drafter?
I also like that it's a compact card game that doesn't take long to learn or play, and plays well with only 2 players. The only other drafting games I've found have a board, lots of pieces, and are aimed at 4+ players.
Trying to search for games like Compile is a bit difficult, because in the other threads I find, people like to focus on the lane battling aspect, which I could take or leave. I'm mostly interested in compact drafting games for 2p. Anyone know any?
Ah yes, Android: Netrunner is one I need to check out. I think that might be closest to what I'm looking for. Hah, it feels like every single one of these deck drafting games is set in the same quasi-sci-fi, play-as-an-AI-in-the-future type universe.
I can confirm that a couple pages of printed cards in sleeves has given me endless hours of fun. The only thing is the rules are a little fussy, you'll want an app counter for money and a bag of tokens to keep track of what virus is attached to what ice.
The asymmetrical play and "what cup is the ball under" mechanics are very replayable. My partner and I have a backpack of games to take on the go, and there's always a dozen netrunner decks inside. There's a lot of mayhem to be had with all the different decks and styles.
But for real, the rules to play netrunner to me feel much more complex than MtG, and it feels super unfair to the corp at first because you're always on the defensive and the runner is so much more active with an extra action every turn. It's a very hard game to teach someone at a pub. I swear sometimes I forget rules from week to week and I've been playing it off and on for like 10 years.
For on the go pickup games, in my bag I have Hive, Go, Jaipur, Carcassonne, and a regular deck of cards. I feel like those offer a range of quick fun. I especially love teaching someone Go and letting them whoop me at like 4-5 stone advantage on a 9 wide board. I get a great game to play from behind and they get to practice a new game.
Despite most of the bag being Netrunner decks, I've never once gotten someone to play it with me who wasn't already into the game.
You can give it a try on Jinteki and find a nice deck here.
Another upvote for Netrunner. I have the original printing starter box (WOTC), Lots of the FFG cards, and I think the starter print-on-demand from Null Signal. I played in a tournament on Jinteki and absolutely had my ass handed to me, but I still had a good time. I also picked up a set of 3-d printed tokens from Litko. If you want to dig in with some youtube content, my go to is Metropole Grid - https://www.youtube.com/@MetropoleGrid