head to head
vs
Air BustervsSteep
Air Buster leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Steep leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Air BusterSteep
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
Air Buster leans harder on execution: Bullet weaving and tight corridors demand precise control
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization5 vs 4
Air Buster leans harder on optimization: Memorising stage layouts and power-up routes drives clears
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.