Sorry I just had to add a clarification that Ara is like Civilization, but is NOT a Real-Time Strategy game lol. I've seen this comparison online a lot today

4X games like Civilization are Turn-Based. In the presentation you saw that things seemed like they were moving in real time, but that was during the players turn. They were just animations to give an illusion to make it feel more real. Nothing would actually happen until the player ends their turn.

Not a knock on you, but just thought I'd clarify for those that may go into Ara thinking they're playing Age of Empires but instead get something totally different lol. There are certainly some hybrids of 4X games with real time gameplay, but those are very few and far between. 

You are right though about seeing how well Ara stands amongst its peers. Civilization being the biggest. Age of Wonders and Stellaris are other notable examples. The studio does tout having the talent behind Civilization V, which to me was by far the best in the series, then the most recent outing Civilization VI was a huge step backwards. So I'm really looking forward to Ara. 

Avowed is gorgeous for sure, but the combat rubs me the wrong way, it looks... off. Weightless and focused on dazzling effects first and foremost. I do love Obsidian though, and Pillars 1 and 2 were amazing.

Avowed for me. I wasn't particularly impressed with the video itself, but I like what I'm hearing, and I have some faith in Obsidian. It reminds me that I should get around to finishing the first Pillars of Eternity at some point, and... then continue to the second game.

Indiana Jones was also good, but I'm expecting it to be 'just' good. It doesn't seem to be all gunplay though, so there's some potential there (for both an interesting twist on first-person action gameplay, as well as a disappointment). Ara is also an interesting one, although with the reception of Humankind and to an extent Civilization VI (initially), I'm wary about games of the genre.

The rest I don't particularly care about. Visions of Mana intrigues me a bit, but I don't have any experience with the series, and the video wasn't that great either - which might be a video issue instead of a game issue, but still. I got a good vibe from the developers, which I like, although it's certainly possible it's a misinterpretation due to cultural differences. Hellblade on the other hand has pretty much nothing going on for me personally - everything seems well crafted, but it doesn't particularly appeal to me in any way.

Indiana Jones and Visions of Mana are my most interested titles in the showcase.

The rest are okay, but not as top priority as the above.

I don't think combat showed off well for any of the games. Needed a deeper dive for each of them, but I finished the developer direct kinda perplexed at how unexciting much of the combat looked.

But that's just impressions based on this direct alone.

My favorite was seeing the Indiana Jones game because it was the first time I felt excited for an Indiana Jones game and the hype actually matched the trailer.

Avowed was my game of the show however followed closely was Indy Jones, didnt expect much from it, and it was surprisingly good, like protentially MS best game this year if they can nail it.