head to head
vs
Akai KatanavsNier: Automata
Akai Katana leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Nier: Automata leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Akai KatanaNier: Automata
Axis by axis
Execution9 vs 8
Akai Katana leans harder on execution: Threading through dense bullet curtains demands flawless precise movement
Reads0 vs 1
Nier: Automata leans harder on reads: Enemies follow scripted patterns; no adaptive opponent
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 6
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.