head to head
vs
Grand PrixvsThe Need for Speed
Grand Prix leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); The Need for Speed leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Grand PrixThe Need for Speed
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 7
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
The Need for Speed leans harder on reads: AI rivals and police follow fixed behaviour
Variance1 vs 2
The Need for Speed leans harder on variance: Traffic patterns add mild run-to-run noise
Optimization3 vs 3
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.