oh, Cobalt Core is pretty darn cool
I've been really into the idea of turn-based battles that allow more varying types of interaction with enemies, instead of simply "deal damage, then heal as necessary"... the way this is most often built into modern RPGs is usually some system that allows you to interrupt an enemy's action, and then building the game such that interrupting actions is key to staying alive. This usually works pretty well. It's satisfying to knock out an enemy!
Cobalt Core does this and more, all in a "language" that's pretty easy for most people to understand! It mixed basic attacks that need to be aimed, and very limited movement ("left" or "right"). But these basics create a system where you have multiple types of defense (shields, dodging, interrupts, etc.) that are intertwined with your offense (aiming for specific points, etc.). More than that, the aesthetic layer of ship-to-ship combat portrays this so well, it's easy for anyone who's seen a sci-fi movie to get the basics ("disrupt their shield generator!" or "avoid their cannons!" or "shoot down the incoming missile!").
Cobalt Core has that kind of "elegant design" that can simplify complexity. It draws in the player by portraying a potentially overwhelming mechanic in a form that we're likely familiar with. it's very cool!!