head to head
vs
Europa Universalis IVvsStarDrive
Europa Universalis IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); StarDrive leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Europa Universalis IVStarDrive
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads3 vs 2
Europa Universalis IV leans harder on reads: AI mostly scripted, some MP
Variance3 vs 2
Europa Universalis IV leans harder on variance: events, mission paths
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.