head to head
vs
A Case of DistrustvsTorment: Tides of Numenera
A Case of Distrust leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Torment: Tides of Numenera leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
A Case of DistrustTorment: Tides of Numenera
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
Torment: Tides of Numenera leans harder on execution: Combat is explicitly optional; minimal motor demand throughout
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 7
Torment: Tides of Numenera leans harder on optimization: Stat allocation, Tide routing and artefact loadout reward system knowledge
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.