head to head
vs
Europa Universalis IVvsUFO: Aftershock
Europa Universalis IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); UFO: Aftershock leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Europa Universalis IVUFO: Aftershock
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads3 vs 3
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
UFO: Aftershock leans harder on variance: Hidden enemy positions and hit chances add uncertainty
Optimization9 vs 8
Europa Universalis IV leans harder on optimization: idea groups, economy, mana spending
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.