head to head
vs
ARK: Survival EvolvedvsStarsector
ARK: Survival Evolved leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Starsector leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
ARK: Survival EvolvedStarsector
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
Starsector leans harder on execution: Real-time ship piloting matters but fleet decisions dominate
Reads4 vs 3
ARK: Survival Evolved leans harder on reads: Tribe warfare involves human deception and politics
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 9
Starsector leans harder on optimization: Fleet building, trade economy and tactics are the depth
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.