head to head
vs
Rome: Total WarvsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Rome: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Rome: Total WarThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads2 vs 1
Rome: Total War leans harder on reads: Optional multiplayer battles; campaign AI is mappable
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 7
Rome: Total War leans harder on optimization: Campaign economy, recruitment, and battle tactics are 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.