For me I like EA > LA > MA
None of the nations in MA really resonate with me, while a few of the LA ones are fun and most of the EA nations are fun.
Its all personal opinion of course. I started with EA and worked my way later and was subsequently disappointed with how limiting magic is later. It might actually be more worthwhile to try it the other way around so you have a greater progression on magic
Magic plays such a huge role in late game that once you get used to it... later ages just don't cut it.
YMMV