Agricola is also a good example of simplification, as the "family" game is built in (although it's still in the medium-high range even with those rules). Actually I've always thought the base rules are too much, the family game would have been an excellent shipping game and the occupations and minor improvements could have been relegated to an expansion.

Agricola actually got this "right"--did kinda what the article talks about--by introducing a 2-player version that, while still kinda parts-heavy, is much simpler and friendlier. You can explain and understand the rules in about 5 minutes, it's fun, simple without being easy, and very replayable.