Star Renegades and it's almost exactly what you describe (I haven't played Earth Born). Darkest Dungeon also though it has more survival/planning elements to it.

Played and loved both. They are both great games, but are too on rails for what I'm looking for.

Perhaps you would consider a mod of an old game like the FF4 or FF6 randomizers?

I think that's what I'm gonna have to do. Haven't found anything close to what I'm thinking of. Didn't know it was such a niche concept lol. Thanks for the suggestions

Wildermyth is basically exactly like you described. I played it for 12 hours the first day. It's really satisfying.

Since nobody's brought it up, I'm pretty sure Earth Born is a referential nod to Earthbound. If you're willing to play a linear game, it's the real deal.

I have won the game, now I'm looking to finish earth born. The way Sam talks about it made me a fan too

Picked up Dead Cells recently. Wouldn't say it's similar to earth born apart from having pixel graphics and being rogue like, but damn it's just as addicting.

Dead Cells is a banger. Just not what I'm looking for

chrono trigger yo! classic

Earthborn reminds me A LOT of Earthbound beginnings\Mother 1, especially with the open world feeling which was extremly familiar to me in Earthborn

Dragon Quest and Earthbound would be the only ones that come to mind. Dragon quest being a fantasy setting, and Earthbound 1980's scifi.