head to head
vs
Heroes of Might and Magic IIvsImperator: Rome
Heroes of Might and Magic II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Imperator: Rome leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Heroes of Might and Magic IIImperator: Rome
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
Imperator: Rome leans harder on execution: no mechanical demand
Reads2 vs 2
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Heroes of Might and Magic II leans harder on variance: Map exploration, morale, luck, and combat rolls
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.