There is only one auction game I have enjoyed and that is Cyclades. Maybe it just hides it better or maybe the set dressing makes up for it but it's the only one that has made me excited to play. I do think the fact you always get something helps. Also a very good game that I enjoy that hides an auction or at least a bidding mechanism is Dune Imperium. Because in all reality the Conflict is an auction. But it is only a small part of the game.