head to head
vs
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a HerovsThe Sims
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Sims leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a HeroThe Sims
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero leans harder on execution: minimal action, some timed puzzle sequences
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero leans harder on variance: random encounters and skill-check rolls
Optimization6 vs 6
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.