head to head
vs
Hearts of Iron IVvsThe Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom
Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hearts of Iron IVThe Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads4 vs 4
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
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.