head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
Classic Roman city builder dominated by mastering its walker-based logistics.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
A city builder where mastering land value, budgets, and infrastructure math grows the metropolis.
Caesar III leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); SimCity 3000 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Caesar III
Mouse-driven building, no pressure
SimCity 3000
Point-and-click planning; pause anytime.
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Caesar III
Invasions are scheduled, not adaptive
SimCity 3000
No adversary exists.
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Caesar III
Minor walker pathing unpredictability
SimCity 3000
Random disasters and neighbor deal timing.
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Caesar III
Housing blocks and walker logistics are solvable systems
SimCity 3000
Land value, utilities, and ordinance math reward pure system mastery.
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.