I don't see anything wrong with the directed path for say the first 10 levels as it teaches you a lot of the game's mechanics and demonstrates the pretty efficiently how the production chains operate. It's far easier to get into the game this way then wading through piles of conflicting documentation in "Beginner's Guides" that most forums provide.

But I agree that after the tutorial phase there should be more self-determination in chosing upgrade paths depending on your style of play. Some people are builders, some are fighters, some are online continually, others once or twice a day. To have only one path to upgrade automatically determines what style of play will be successful and will discourage players who don't or can't follow it.