head to head
vs
5 Days a StrangervsThe Dig
5 Days a Stranger leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); The Dig leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
5 Days a StrangerThe Dig
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
5 Days a Stranger leans harder on execution: Pointing and clicking through the manor
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization5 vs 6
The Dig leans harder on optimization: Machine puzzles have single fixed solutions to deduce.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.