head to head
vs
Master of OrionvsTropico 4
Master of Orion leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Tropico 4 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Master of OrionTropico 4
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
Tropico 4 leans harder on execution: Decree-clicking requires no dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 8
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.