head to head
vs
Rome: Total WarvsThief Simulator 2
Rome: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief Simulator 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Rome: Total WarThief Simulator 2
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads2 vs 2
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Thief Simulator 2 leans harder on variance: Loot contents and patrol timing add mild uncertainty
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.