head to head
vs
SimCityvsThe Settlers III
SimCity leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Settlers III leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
SimCityThe Settlers III
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
The Settlers III leans harder on execution: Direct troop control adds light real-time handling.
Reads1 vs 2
The Settlers III leans harder on reads: Multiplayer rush timing involves some opponent prediction.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 8
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.