Does anyone else play only starting Post-imperial matches?

I just never like the earlier stages of the game it seemed super tedious and not really the essence of what I was looking for from the game. I don’t want a small tribe hunter gather simulation, especially because it just leads to the same outcome for the same civilization. I mean it would be more interesting if the beginning stages were more free flowing sandbox where your actions are more of a choice and could lead to different outcomes for the Civ but now it just feels so rigid like if I don’t do everything exactly right with a predetermined build order and at exactly the right time I can’t progress efficiently. I feel like if you don’t win with a early rush then the rest of the work up to castle age could essential be fast forwarded through