End-goal mode to drive creativity throughout the game

I enjoyed Space Engineers 1, though during play i wished for something more of a direction. Not a strictly imposed direction, but something that I can choose to work towards. What if there was a game mode where you have to try and stop the destruction of the universe, or the destruction of your base planet at least. So you have to ramp up production in order to construct something to stop the destruction, or deliver using contracts to get parts in return for constructing a device to protect the universe or the base planet.

Games I can think of where this really works is Minecraft and Eco. Eco has a 30 real days countdown until a big meteor destroys the planet. In order to stop it, you have to research the lasers that can destroy it, which in turn requires enough resources, which you in turn can gather in the ways you want. Minecraft has its enderdragon, which doesnt have a countdown, but rather is something you can choose to strive towards.

What I lack in SE1 is a sense of direction. I would like something that I can choose to work towards, which requires a bunch of sub-tasks to fulfill. And to complete the subtasks that naturally come about as a result of the chosen end-goal, I can use my creativity to complete as I like. Such as making a big mining fleet that delivers to a big refinery facility while fending off attackers with fighter jets.

I love the sandbox possibilities, but I need something to drive my creativity to use those possibilites.