I think Raid World to be my favorite map template - because biters do not expand and do no create new bases. Once you cleared out the region, it stays clear.
If you want a good alternative to Factorio that is not in early access, might I suggest Mindustry? It has progression, multiple levels, research, automation, tower defence ...
And eventually you will need assemblers and their pollution to make blue chips for the rocket anyway. I've done small bases because I used to be terrified of the alien creep, but when you get twenty blue chips per minute... it's kinda painful. Now I start pushing camps as soon as I get hand grenades