This sure was a game.
Sometimes, when you get too deep into a hobby, you can forget that you can do anything. When you start creating works in that hobby, you might think you have a set of rules you must follow. And thanks to Capitalism, you kinda do. If you want sales.
But you can do whatever you want. You can make whatever you want.
Your game can have Frozen Burritos that you throw at enemies to damage them, or warm up in a microwave to use as a healing item.
You can have no XP and only gain stat boosts through items or grinding up meat you get from enemies to increase your max HP, but only let that be done after dying.
You can make dying in your game a mechanic that needs to be strategically thought about.
You can make your graphics with claymation and have the main character’s face melt when the party dies. But it’s not game over. You can just get stronger now.
You can make Hylics. You can also play it.
I suggest you do.