A mode that you (or your character) is the main colonist who control everything, is much like the standard game. If this character dies the game is over.
You can edit the appearance and his/her job (related to an important position of the spaceship). And he/she already start equipped with a armor vest.
If your character dies and you continue the game, you can't do nothing except watch your colonists joining with the travelers and being killed by raiders.