Hmmm...anyone remember Elite for the Spectrum?
Working for months and years to no real conclusion, sounds very similar to the old Spectrum game, made, I think by Phoenix. in the 80's.You never 'won' but you stole (raided), traded (donate/receive) and upgraded lots and lots.
I played it well into the early 90's, altogether for about 5 years with no real way of winning...I never even stopped playing, my Spectrum gave up on me and I didn't replace it.
Even back then, open ended gameplay wasn't to everyone's taste, many of my friends tried it and went back to Track and Field pretty quickly which gave instant feedback. Me, I always loved this type of loosely structured game where you can play how you like. Be 'good and noble' and donate lots of highly prized troops, or be a bit more 'morally flexible' and Hop or Troll for whatever you can get. All bring something to this highly sophisticated, intelligent (not really for kids) game...come on, who doesn't love booting Hoppers and trolls once you're on to them? ;)
If you're more a Track and Field guy, then go and play those sorts of games but don't criticise this game just because it's not to your taste, when it is to many other peoples.
Could trade Slaves in Elite by the way...imagine that nowadays!