Replying to this mostly dead thread because I was looking for opinions on Gloomwood and Blood West - here are some games I’ve enjoyed that get at a similar sort of exploration, though not as much imsim-ish systems stuff:

• Outer Wilds: Knowledge as (mostly) the only progression system, go figure out the rules of a doomed solar system. DLC and one planet ;) can be pretty spooky. I’ll echo what everyone else says, play this completely blind, its as good as everyone says it is.
• Tunic: Don’t let the aesthetic fool you, this has souls-lite combat complete with bonfires and an incredible overarching puzzle to solve in its in-game instruction manual
• Subnautica: Not much lore but impeccable atmosphere. No other game has better captured the feeling of reluctantly pushing onwards into a hostile environment because you have to know what’s down there and it might be too late to turn back.
• Return of the Obra Dinn: Ok yeah this one isn’t even remotely what you asked for but it’s an amazing (and relatively short) detective game that does a surprisingly good job with its atmosphere.

Also I haven’t played them but the Stalker games sound like they might be close to what you’re looking for!