head to head
vs
SimCity 3000vsThe Incredible Machine 2
SimCity 3000 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Incredible Machine 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
SimCity 3000The Incredible Machine 2
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 1
SimCity 3000 leans harder on variance: Random disasters and neighbor deal timing.
Optimization9 vs 8
SimCity 3000 leans harder on optimization: Land value, utilities, and ordinance math reward pure system mastery.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.