head to head
vs
Populous: The BeginningvsPrey (2017)
Populous: The Beginning leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Prey (2017) leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Populous: The BeginningPrey (2017)
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads2 vs 1
Populous: The Beginning leans harder on reads: Multiplayer shaman duels involve some opponent prediction.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Prey (2017) leans harder on optimization: Neuromods, builds, station routing deeply solvable.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.