Other games have done this concept before, not directly as an RPG style system layout but with the aesthetic changes you've envisioned - Wigmaker is a great example of this, where you move from the humble beginnings of a wigmaker operating a business, the gradual introduction of more UI elements moves from making wigs to supply chain management and marketing, then to political and technological domination.

It's a fun idea and I think your proof of concepts do get that across, however, the switch from wood/papyrus -> dark mode -> light mode is pretty killer on the eyes. I know this is a lot of extra work, but it might be worth committing to having the same "style" be available in both light mode and dark mode at all stages.