head to head
vs
Hearts of Iron IVvsVandal Hearts II
Hearts of Iron IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Vandal Hearts II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hearts of Iron IVVandal Hearts II
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads4 vs 3
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on reads: PvP partly, mostly scripted AI
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 8
Hearts of Iron IV leans harder on optimization: division templates and production solved
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.