I am a old play since dos version, and I am also a sad play as I lost almost games even on lower level before this year. I learnt MicroManagement and Settler Facory, then I won all games on Monarch.
I play China on Tiny Monarch with 60% continent. My strategy as below:
Basically I build my first city at first except the tiles are very bad, then two warriors will be made, next, I adjust 90% science to discover Pottery and let worker mines at grassland.
Now my warrior will go around to scout in opposite direction. A granary is to build after Poterry discovered. Bronze and Iron discover start.
If I meet AI civs, I will tarde discover with them ASAP, a settler will be made after granary finished even city size is only 4, my 2nd settler will build 2nd city base on TIGHT BUILD (2 tiles between cities), in the meantime, more warriors are making until Capital size to 3-4 and discover until Monarchy.
My settler factory is not perfect because the capital radius is not so good, so I have to build some units by settler, but this speed is enough fast comparing with AI.
If I discovered Iron firstly, I will check if AI civs are friendly, The peace comes if AI is friendly, or I have to destroy them before they got Iron. If they got it firstly, that's not so good news, I start to build stronger Swordsmen.
I start to attack AI's city with iron tile when I got 10s Swordsmen.
My favorite wonder is that can build temple in all continent cities.
Then ....
At Last I won domination victory before or at the first Industry Age.