head to head
vs
BelowvsS.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Below leans Variance (Systems & Chaos); S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
BelowS.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl leans harder on reads: A-Life feels alive but doesn't model you
Variance6 vs 5
Below leans harder on variance: Procedural floors, traps and loot reshape every descent
Optimization6 vs 6
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.