Remove (or make Optional) Research for UI Elements

Hiding critical gameplay tools behind research is painfully unfun. I can understand some estimation of realism, but is there truly a "satisfying gameplay loop" about not having blueprints or terrain leveling from the start of the game?
Please refactor core UI elements out of the research queue OR add it to the gameplay options toggles so you can choose to add that extra level of spice (or not) when you start a game.