head to head
vs
Hearts of Iron IVvsStronghold Crusader HD
Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stronghold Crusader HD leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hearts of Iron IVStronghold Crusader HD
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Stronghold Crusader HD leans harder on execution: minor real-time click-management skill
Reads4 vs 5
Stronghold Crusader HD leans harder on reads: human opponents bluff attacks and timing
Variance3 vs 2
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on variance: focus tree branches, events
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.