I mean… steampunk pretends to emulate modern tech all with steam power. Not only is it so absurd that it’s funny and enjoyable, but aesthetically when bathed in art deco, it’s positively gorgeous.

But in terms of story…. Shrug, there are probably tons of sci-fi writers that have touched this kind of storytelling. I think Alan Dean Foster maybe had something like this, and/or Piers Anthony, maybe a few others I read many years ago. No recollection as to what actual books, sorry.