head to head
vs
Defense Grid 2vsRollerCoaster Tycoon
Defense Grid 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); RollerCoaster Tycoon leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Defense Grid 2RollerCoaster Tycoon
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Defense Grid 2 leans harder on execution: Occasional orbital-ability timing, otherwise hands-off
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.