I've heard it called "wilderness" survival, but I'm not seeing many games in this genre that interest me. Most are top down games that look like they have 8 bit graphics (look like Dragon Warrior that I played in 1989 on NES).
I really enjoyed Wurm Online, but would look for something similar that was single player, thus allowing there not to be such a slow skill gain.
I've never tried Minecraft, it just never looked like it would appeal to me, but maybe that's the closest I'd be able to find in this genre?
Anyone know of any games that come to mind (any suggestions are welcomed). My ideal game would be something that throws you in the 16th century of North American wilderness and you choose how to make a go at it (and gaining resources to make things as well as skills along the way). Possibly encountering other small settlements, native American's, animals, etc