head to head
vs
Baldur's GatevsCultist Simulator
Baldur's Gate leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Cultist Simulator leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Baldur's GateCultist Simulator
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Baldur's Gate leans harder on execution: Pause-and-play needs minimal dexterity.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 6
Cultist Simulator leans harder on variance: opaque mechanics and card draws until mapped
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.