head to head
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.

Optimization · Systems & Chaos
A match-three adventure testing chain planning against random board fills.

Optimization · Practiced Mastery
Routing efficient digs and upgrades through a randomised mine.
Azkend 2: The World Beneath leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); SteamWorld Dig leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
SteamWorld Dig leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Azkend 2: The World Beneath
Matching tiles needs only modest speed
SteamWorld Dig
Digging and platforming need modest precision
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Azkend 2: The World Beneath
Solo with no opponent to predict
SteamWorld Dig
Enemies follow simple fixed patterns
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Azkend 2: The World Beneath
Board fills randomly, driving each match
SteamWorld Dig
Randomised mine layouts hide ore and hazards each run
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Azkend 2: The World Beneath
Planning chains and power-up use is the skill layer
SteamWorld Dig
Upgrade routing and efficient dig paths drive progress
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.