I played a lot of obscure stuff, but I want to tell you about Highfleet the most. It was one of the few relatively recent games that got me hooked.
I can't really explain it proper, it's a rather unique mix of niche genres. It's a strategy first and foremost - macro layer feels like a naval simulator. You have various detection systems, long-range methods of pre-emptive strikes, positioning and movement are pivotal, resource management can be brutal. Then you have tactical combat that feels like a 2D arcadish flying shooter but bounded by relativistic physics. On top of that, you can build your own vessels from scratch, which is a game in itself. Setting is retro-futuristic micro-Dune mixed with Russian Empire's expansion into Central Asia. The main developer of this game at one point in his career worked with a guy behind Perimeter, was influenced by him, so there are speculations about Highfleet being set in the same multiverse (also being a lost inter-dimensional colony of humans). Not in any official sense, but more like a homage. Highfleet is also a prequel (albeit a very distant one) to some other hyper obscure game called Hammerfight.
With that said, I can't really recommend this title to everyone either. It's a passion project of but a one guy. He has another dude helping him right now, but it's still more like a dream game of that one person. Totally subjective experience, for a really small audience of enthusiasts at best. Developers do interact with community, but there is this specific vision they're pursuing. Learning curve is high, difficulty is unforgiving, even interface has this cumbersome, oppressive look.
Highfleet also has this unpolished feeling. Not like total slavjank, the game has an incredible level of quality considering the size of devteam, but it's rough around the edges nevertheless. Some miniscule bugs and glitches here and there, even though the campaign is fully playable from start to finish. Some stuff is poorly implemented or isn't implemented at all, because developers don't really know what they want to do with it. Patches are infrequent and often bring radical changes. Development cycle slowed down considerably, even more so after the war.
Still, some of you may find it worth checking out simply for the feeling of it alone. Art direction, music, narrative - there is nothing quite like it. Simply gorgeous.
