Building comparison
head to head
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick ObscuravsNew Star Manager
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is reads, and it is a single point.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A Victorian-era RPG where the magic-versus-tech split and schematic mastery reward deep system optimization.
New Star Manager
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A soccer management sim about optimizing squad, finances and tactics over a career.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); New Star Manager leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick ObscuraNew Star Manager
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Real-time mode is optional; turn-based eliminates all twitch
New Star Manager
Menu and tap input, no physical performance demand
Reads1 vs 2
New Star Manager leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
All NPCs and factions follow scripted dialogue and combat routines
New Star Manager
AI opponents follow systems, not adaptive mind-modelling
Variance5 vs 5
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Hidden technology diagrams and faction reaction thresholds create exploration unknowns
New Star Manager
Match outcomes and events carry meaningful randomness
Optimization9 vs 8
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Magic versus technology stat split and schematic discovery are deeply optimizable
New Star Manager
Squad building, training and tactics are the solvable core
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.