head to head
vs
Icewind DalevsMaster of Orion
Icewind Dale leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Master of Orion leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Icewind DaleMaster of Orion
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Icewind Dale leans harder on execution: Pausable real-time needs little dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 9
Master of Orion leans harder on optimization: Tech beelines and ship design dominate outcomes
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.