head to head
vs
Kerbal Space ProgramvsRome: Total War
Kerbal Space Program leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Rome: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Kerbal Space ProgramRome: Total War
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 3
Kerbal Space Program leans harder on execution: Manual piloting, docking precision
Reads0 vs 2
Rome: Total War leans harder on reads: Optional multiplayer battles; campaign AI is mappable
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization10 vs 8
Kerbal Space Program leans harder on optimization: Rocket design, delta-v budget, mission planning
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.