I'd like to make a "builder" type game with a persistent game area, developing objects and varying game states. For example, a simple garden simulator, with global variables like weather, object variables like plant type, health and age, and a tiled or zoned play area with individual values like soil type, sun exposure, water content, drainage, pH, etc. The game engine would simulate the passage of time with slightly randomized series of weather changes and periodically create new objects on the board like plants or animals, based on conditions and player input. A further extension of the gameplay could include placing unlocked objects like rare plants, paths, benches etx.
I understand a novice can't hope to create a AAA title, but if I can acquire an easy to use logic engine that can handle varying object and game states, I can use my sound and art resources to create an enjoyable, if simple game. Conceptually, this idea could either be an ambient puzzle/relaxation game as a phone app version with just a few zones, or a full fledged simulator with a scrollable map as a PC game.
Specifically I am looking for a recommendation on the best avenue of approach to this project, either a particular game-building suite or a core group of programming skills for this project. I have looked at Unity, Game Maker Studio, Buildbox and Sploder, but they seem to fall heavily on action games. Am I right in guessing that simulator or puzzle engines are for the most part proprietary?