head to head
vs
Empire: Total WarvsIncubation: Time Is Running Out
Empire: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Incubation: Time Is Running Out leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Empire: Total WarIncubation: Time Is Running Out
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads3 vs 2
Empire: Total War leans harder on reads: Multiplayer line-battle feints exist
Variance3 vs 4
Incubation: Time Is Running Out leans harder on variance: Hidden enemies around corners create real uncertainty
Optimization8 vs 8
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.