head to head
vs
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's CursevsWhen the Past Was Around
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); When the Past Was Around leans Variance (Systems & Chaos).
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's CurseWhen the Past Was Around
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
When the Past Was Around leans harder on execution: Clicking through scenes takes no dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 5
When the Past Was Around leans harder on variance: Puzzle logic is hidden until each vignette is decoded
Optimization5 vs 4
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse leans harder on optimization: Modern hint-friendly puzzles with fixed intended solutions.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.