Seems like I am addicted to such games and I think I've played most of them. I sort of want a long game with mostly or semi customisable characters that I can grow attached too and usually somewhat good (doesn't have to be super deep) mechanics. Crafting and so on is totally fine. Management Sims also welcome. Here are games I've played that I can also recommend to people also:
-Kenshi (supported in like 2009/2010)
-Might and Magic series, mostly 6 Mandate of Heaven
-Wasteland 2
-Unholy Heights
-Amazing Cultivation Simulator
-Rimworld
-Tale of Immortal
-Terra Invicta
-Crusader Kings - haven't got into that much but probably should
-Mount and Blade series
-State of Decay 1 and 2
-Sands of Salazar
-Receatter - not quite customisable but the simulation elements are fun
->!Strive Conques and Strive for Power!<- Heavily NSFW warning
-Xcom
Edit to add that I've played heaps of
-Dwarf Fortress also
Ascend from the mountains seems good and battle brothers I haven't tried yet.
Maybe I can elaborate that I don't want to be super railroaded onto any one activity, but potentially choose from a bunch of things to do that could improve other progression. Could be semi HTML games as well as long as there is some artwork.