head to head
vs
ARK: Survival EvolvedvsStronghold: Crusader
ARK: Survival Evolved leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stronghold: Crusader leans Optimization (Mind & Math).
ARK: Survival EvolvedStronghold: Crusader
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
Stronghold: Crusader leans harder on execution: Troop rally timing and siege placement require practiced attention
Reads4 vs 6
Stronghold: Crusader leans harder on reads: Opponent lord AI has semi-scripted but varied attack patterns
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Stronghold: Crusader leans harder on optimization: Castle layout and goods production chains are deeply optimizable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.