I completely disagree. With some understanding of the economy and diplomacy, it's actually pretty easy to reach GP status as most countries. Getting sphered is a strategy for advancement, not a hindrance, as it means access to your GP's markets/resources and a good chance no one will attack you. With that, you can turn a 2 state minor into a GP by 1900 by simple industrialization alone and begin sphereing your neighbors. You can even do this without any coal or iron of your own.
I encourage you to try a campaign as Japan or one of the South American countries. I am thinking about a Siam campaign next...
PS. If your definition of fun is to get to GP#1, then Vicky2 will not be so much fun. I find, for many nations, you have to twist and contort the rules/reality(or be an unusually lucky warmonger) in such a way so as to make the game unpleasurable. War is a useful tool, but the real meat of the game is economy/pop management. And using that to bring a backward nation into GP status and holding it there is a real treat.
