head to head
vs
Empire: Total WarvsHearts of Iron IV
Empire: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Empire: Total WarHearts of Iron IV
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads3 vs 4
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on reads: PvP partly, mostly scripted AI
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.