This really just sounds like the same issue Humankind had, where a bunch of Civ fans were mad the game didn’t just play exactly like Civ and forced them to reconsider their typical approach to 4Xs. Here’s hoping the devs of Millenia don’t cave to pressure from Civ fans and gut the interesting systems like Humankind did during its betas.
It is actually a viable strategy to not worry about tech too much and concentrate on other stuff. I tried it in the demo and it worked grand. The biggest downfall with this though was not being as in control of the chosen age to come.
I dont see a problme here. The only issue that Is for people who want Max Optimization and be able to build and destill a game down to you do x on these turns in this order, this is the most efficient build/research plan folks. The world leader I.E. The one who unlocks the age should dictate the terms. Others follow to catch up. this game is meant to simulate a flow of history and alt history. to react, adapt and play. There ebbs and flow in history no nation ruled supreme always.