head to head
vs
Populous: The BeginningvsUndertale
Populous: The Beginning leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Undertale leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Populous: The BeginningUndertale
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 1
Populous: The Beginning leans harder on variance: Unscouted terrain and totems hide briefly.
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.