head to head
vs
Bulb BoyvsThe Sinking City
Bulb Boy leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); The Sinking City leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Bulb BoyThe Sinking City
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Bulb Boy leans harder on variance: Puzzle logic hides until trial-and-error reveals it
Optimization5 vs 6
The Sinking City leans harder on optimization: Cross-referencing evidence and city archives is the deduction core
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.