head to head
vs
Baba Is YouvsThe Incredible Machine
Baba Is You leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Incredible Machine leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Baba Is YouThe Incredible Machine
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
The Incredible Machine leans harder on execution: Placing parts requires no dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 0
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization10 vs 9
Baba Is You leans harder on optimization: Literally solvable — find the rule rewrite that wins.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.