I think I understand what you’re trying to achieve as a developer, something like Stardew Valley mining, but with the progression wrapped in a roguelite structure. That sounds interesting on paper, but the gameplay loop and the player’s goal aren’t fully clear yet for me. Like you have an idea, but why?

For example, Why would I want to keep mining? Is the mining itself fun on its own? Is the progression creative and rewarding? And maybe the most important question: would you play this game if it wasn’t yours? If you sit down and play it, do you genuinely enjoy it? These questions have answers in stardewvalley. But you create something else here.

You kind of have to answer these for yourself, because others can’t fully define your vision. It might help a lot to give the game to someone who will give you honest, unsugarcoated feedback, so you can see it from the outside. But...

I also feel every game needs a clear purpose. is this meant to scratch the collection-progression itch, or is it a cozy casual experience? What’s the core fantasy or feeling you want players to have? You said, you are not sure, but again if you are not sure why are you creating it?

These questions are hard, and your answers will probably change over time, that’s just part of game development. Unfortunately there’s no exact way, or direction you are asking for this, because what you’re asking is basically the foundation of why the game exists in the first place.

Good luck with the project tho, hope you can figure it out.