just spitballing here, but maybe it would improve the game if the refineries could be destroyed. Like maybe when all of your infrastructure under repair, the invaders then go for the refineries. That way a losing state would be more clear. Refineries destroyed + defensive infrastructure down + having under $1m = lose
Viewing post in Prince Aladeen Builds a Refinery jam comments
Completely agree, I like that idea a lot. I think an actual tile based RTS with proper building and destruction would have likely worked much better, and have been far more clear to the player.
I was definitely under the cosh for time and just settled on predetermined routes and locations for the refineries and ship routes which of course ended up being quite limiting for the design.