head to head
vs
Populous: The BeginningvsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Populous: The Beginning leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Populous: The BeginningThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 3
Populous: The Beginning leans harder on execution: Spell timing and unit micro demand real-time hands.
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 7
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.