head to head
vs
BastionvsHorizon Zero Dawn
Bastion leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Horizon Zero Dawn leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
BastionHorizon Zero Dawn
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
Horizon Zero Dawn leans harder on reads: Machines follow fixed patterns, not adapting.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 5
Bastion leans harder on optimization: Weapon and idol builds reward planning.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.