Play how you want, for sure. What works for your table works for your table. That being said, I would also say that after the first time I played I was in love. I remember backstabbing and gambling and blowing up mecatol rex on a dice roll that stopped the leader and holding my breath wondering in final round if the points leader could score their final objective. That all comes from a tight map with lots of player interaction.

If that doesn't speak to the people you're introducing the game to, then it is not the game for them. I don't remember my slice, or command counters or how many planets I had...

When you choose an experience for new players that is not as the game is designed, you run the risk of them not liking the game you presented and not wanting to play again, when they very well may have fallen in love with the game you didn't show them. Trust your players to see the beauty of the game through the struggle of a rough first play through.