head to head
vs
Anno 1701vsSimCity 4
Anno 1701 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); SimCity 4 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Anno 1701SimCity 4
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 0
Anno 1701 leans harder on reads: AI rivals follow mappable behaviors; multiplayer adds slight prediction
Variance2 vs 3
SimCity 4 leans harder on variance: Neighbor city interactions and demand curves add unpredictability
Optimization9 vs 9
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.