head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Execution · Pure Mechanics
Steering a WWI biplane through fixed scrolling terrain on timing and memorised targets.

Execution · Pure Mechanics
A 3D platformer where tight jumps and reflexes carry level completion.
Blue Max leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Blue Max
Altitude control, bombing timing and dodging demand steady hands
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
precise platforming and timing required
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Blue Max
Enemy planes fly scripted patterns
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
scripted enemies, no adaptation
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Blue Max
Terrain layout is fixed and memorisable
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
minimal randomness
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Blue Max
Learning target locations and fuel routes raises scores
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
level routes and collectibles solvable
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.