Going to try Planetary, then look at the other non-traditionals you mentioned. Not really sure what I'm after - something between a management/economic and rts I think.
Rimworld would fit that bill. But it's fairly slow paced. Maybe XCOM? Not what you're asking for exactly but might scratch that same itch. XCOM2 (which is better) is in the current Humble Monthly for $12.
My friend had a game where everyone but the sculptor died. Sculptor literally couldn't do anything but sculpt, not even cleaning, so he was depressed, living in his own filth and making sculptures, trading them for food whenever a party passed by. Eventually a new settler arrived and... it was another sculptor who could only sculpt. Bandits attacked and he managed to capture one of them, eventually getting her to join his settlement and... yeah, turned out to be another sculptor.
Amazingly he kept them alive, in their own filth, and eventually someone useful joined and he turned it around. Was pretty cool.
Reminds me of the time Andy Black had termites living in his monitor and for the longest time thought it was a graphics problem. I *think* it was Andy, at least.
She appeared on the horizon one day, stark bollock naked and being chased by a gang of crazed raiders. She begged us for help, and help we did. We killed her oppressors, healed her wounds, gave her food and shelter. She decided to join our colony, helping out where she could. Poor lass was only a kid, 16 years old and God knows what horrors she'd been through.
Then one day I got greedy. I thought I could take down that Thrumbo and make a fortunes selling its fur and horns.
She fought bravely. Tooth and nail. Right to the end. The bitter, bloody end.
I'm sorry Rebecca. Rest in peace.
P. S. Also sorry I never got round to making you any clothes. Complete oversight on my part. My bad.