head to head
vs
Master of Orion (2016)vsStellaris
Master of Orion (2016) leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stellaris leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Master of Orion (2016)Stellaris
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Master of Orion (2016) leans harder on execution: Turn-based menus; no physical demands at all
Reads2 vs 3
Stellaris leans harder on reads: AI is scripted; multiplayer adds modest adaptation.
Variance5 vs 5
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.