head to head
vs
Master of Orion (2016)vsSid Meier's Civilization IV
Master of Orion (2016) leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Sid Meier's Civilization IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Master of Orion (2016)Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Master of Orion (2016) leans harder on execution: Turn-based menus; no physical demands at all
Reads2 vs 2
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 4
Master of Orion (2016) leans harder on variance: Random galaxy generation and diplomatic outcomes add hidden elements
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.