head to head
vs
Might & Magic: Heroes VIvsTerraforming Mars
Might & Magic: Heroes VI leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Terraforming Mars leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Might & Magic: Heroes VITerraforming Mars
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Might & Magic: Heroes VI leans harder on execution: no real-time physical skill needed
Reads3 vs 4
Terraforming Mars leans harder on reads: Opponents contest milestones, awards, and board placement
Variance4 vs 5
Terraforming Mars leans harder on variance: Project card draws shape what engines are available
Optimization8 vs 9
Terraforming Mars leans harder on optimization: Income engines and VP efficiency are the whole game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.