head to head
vs
Dune: Spice WarsvsHearts of Iron IV
Dune: Spice Wars leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dune: Spice WarsHearts of Iron IV
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads4 vs 4
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Dune: Spice Wars leans harder on variance: Map layout, sandworms, and hidden intel
Optimization8 vs 9
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on optimization: division templates and production solved
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.