head to head
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is reads, and it is a single point.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
Sandbox assassination puzzles where mastering routes is the entire game.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
A landmark strategy game combining a turn-based campaign for control of Rome with massive real-time battles.
Hitman 3 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Rome: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hitman 3
Inputs matter only at execution moments.
Rome: Total War
Real-time battle micro rewards quick unit handling
Rome: Total War leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Hitman 3
Guards scripted; routines repeat.
Rome: Total War
Optional multiplayer battles; campaign AI is mappable
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hitman 3
Some patrol timing variance.
Rome: Total War
Diplomacy and AI moves add modest fog
Hitman 3 leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Hitman 3
Levels are puzzles - routes and disguises solvable.
Rome: Total War
Campaign economy, recruitment, and battle tactics are solvable
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.