head to head
vs
Rise of NationsvsTempest Rising
Rise of Nations leans Optimization (Mind & Math); Tempest Rising leans Execution (Grand Arena).
Rise of NationsTempest Rising
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 7
Tempest Rising leans harder on execution: Infantry ability timing and base placement need precise multitasking
Reads7 vs 7
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Rise of Nations leans harder on variance: Map resource placement and wonder race timing add moderate uncertainty
Optimization8 vs 7
Rise of Nations leans harder on optimization: Territory cap optimization and age-advancement sequencing are 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.