Or something like that, name is up to the mod author. >.< But in essence, a mod that adds some new world gen and machines that follow a definitive tech tier starting with basic hand tools, then wooden rotary machines and working up. So you start by punching wood to make wooden picks, pick out stone to make hand grinders, pumps, fire fueled furnaces (literally, with a fire under it, or lava, to heat it), etc that don't last very long and/or will be a bit slow but it will get the job done with out having to punch down an entire forest. Build up until you can make windmills and/or water wheels to do the work for you. Once you build up enough you can start with steam powered bronze machines, then to low powered iron machines, then to the more powerful steel machines, then to, who knows, perhaps space age stuff like atomic power, plastic, etc? But have it balanced so you feel like your accomplishing something with out it being uber hardcore. Well, probably better to make it adjustable so it appeals to the casual gamer to those who enjoy the uber hardcore stuff and most people in between.
I hope this make sense? The problem I see with the popular AAA titles like IC2 or Thermal Expansion is it can be a bit easy to get power, with in a few hours of mining and hand grinding (though not necessary, just makes smelting ores more efficient) you got a Steam Dynamo or coal Generator and machines doing the work for you with out effort. I tried Better Than Wolves but two problems, it's a 1.5.2 jar mod (and that *seems* like it was a 2014 release) and it's really uber hard core. One tree for one pick to pick one stone, after the 3rd pick I gave up, wasn't going to dig a hidey hole before dark having to punch down a whole bunch of trees to do so. >.< But I do find the idea of a goal appealing. Like "I need to make an alloy furnace to make bronze and to do that I need to do this, this, and that. " and go for it, working though the steps to make the tools / machines to accomplish it. Then onto the next goal which might be a smelter of some sort to melt iron into ingots and start making iron machines, etc.
I hope this make sense? The problem I see with the popular AAA titles like IC2 or Thermal Expansion is it can be a bit easy to get power, with in a few hours of mining and hand grinding (though not necessary, just makes smelting ores more efficient) you got a Steam Dynamo or coal Generator and machines doing the work for you with out effort. I tried Better Than Wolves but two problems, it's a 1.5.2 jar mod (and that *seems* like it was a 2014 release) and it's really uber hard core. One tree for one pick to pick one stone, after the 3rd pick I gave up, wasn't going to dig a hidey hole before dark having to punch down a whole bunch of trees to do so. >.< But I do find the idea of a goal appealing. Like "I need to make an alloy furnace to make bronze and to do that I need to do this, this, and that. " and go for it, working though the steps to make the tools / machines to accomplish it. Then onto the next goal which might be a smelter of some sort to melt iron into ingots and start making iron machines, etc.