head to head
vs
Hearts of Iron IVvsNFL Head Coach 09
Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); NFL Head Coach 09 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hearts of Iron IVNFL Head Coach 09
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on execution: pausable, micromanagement-heavy
Reads4 vs 4
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
NFL Head Coach 09 leans harder on variance: Draft prospects, injuries and game sims carry hidden uncertainty
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.