head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Optimization · Practiced Mastery
An open-world action RPG where build optimization outweighs its simple combat.

Optimization · Practiced Mastery
A sprawling open-world crime epic with RPG-style character stats across a whole state.
Arcania: Gothic 4 leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcania: Gothic 4
real-time melee combat timing
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Flying school and drive-bys need decent hands
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcania: Gothic 4
solo RPG, no adaptive enemies
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Gang AI is scripted, never adaptive
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcania: Gothic 4
loot and hit-chance randomness
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Territory wars and traffic add light randomness
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcania: Gothic 4
build, gear, and quest routing
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Stats, gym, weapon skill, and routes reward systematic play
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.