head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
Organic-grid medieval city-builder driven by zoning and chains.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
A city builder where mastering land value, budgets, and infrastructure math grows the metropolis.
Foundation leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); SimCity 3000 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Foundation
no twitch
SimCity 3000
Point-and-click planning; pause anytime.
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Foundation
no opponent
SimCity 3000
No adversary exists.
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Foundation
map terrain
SimCity 3000
Random disasters and neighbor deal timing.
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Foundation
zoning, supply chains, ratios
SimCity 3000
Land value, utilities, and ordinance math reward pure system mastery.
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.