But Id want a sim game in the style of Mech Commander . Basically it would be Heavy Gear Commander. You'd run it from an overhead view mostly. You'd start with your mother ship land carrier and some pilots and mechs. From there mix in some Mercenaries so you pick missions, outfit your guys, pick their new skills and send them on their way. You could have top ranked soldiers become commanders and lead squads themselves while you oversaw the entire game and could lead your own elite squad.
Buy new mechs for your guys. Promote soldiers like in Xcom who have done well and survived and learned new skills. And ala Star Wolves you could up gun and upgrade your giant land carrier as you move across the desert planet going into tougher and more expensive zones.
So you'd mix Heavy Gear, Deserts of Kharak, Star Wolves and Mechcommander with a bit of MW Mercenaries.
Of course group up for when the Shadows randomly attack. Train telepaths to add to your arsenal. SO much to think of to do.