Building comparison
head to head
13 Sentinels: Aegis RimvsThe Cave
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A sci-fi mystery that splits across thirteen protagonists' stories, backed by light real-time strategy battles.
The Cave
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Coordinating three characters through fixed object-logic puzzles.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Cave leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
13 Sentinels: Aegis RimThe Cave
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Real-time strategy battles have light unit-control inputs
The Cave
Undemanding platforming with no timing pressure
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Kaiju wave patterns are scripted per stage
The Cave
No adversary - a narrating cave is not a mind
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Hidden story order and mystery connections obscure the full picture
The Cave
Each character's section is unknown on first descent
Optimization6 vs 6
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Optimising battle chip builds and unlocking all story segments is the mechanical layer
The Cave
Three-character object-shuffling puzzles are the whole game
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.