head to head
vs
Indy 500vsNeed for Speed II
Indy 500 leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Need for Speed II leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Indy 500Need for Speed II
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 7
Need for Speed II leans harder on execution: Cornering and throttle control decide every race
Reads3 vs 1
Indy 500 leans harder on reads: Head-to-head races reward anticipating the rival's line
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization3 vs 4
Need for Speed II leans harder on optimization: Learning six tracks' racing lines and car choice
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.