head to head
vs
Microsoft Train SimulatorvsSpiritfarer
Microsoft Train Simulator leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Spiritfarer leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Microsoft Train SimulatorSpiritfarer
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 1
Spiritfarer leans harder on variance: Minor resource RNG.
Optimization6 vs 5
Microsoft Train Simulator leans harder on optimization: Mastering braking curves and timetables is the whole skill
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.