head to head
vs
Castlevania: Aria of SorrowvsChampions of Norrath
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Champions of Norrath leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Castlevania: Aria of SorrowChampions of Norrath
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
Champions of Norrath leans harder on execution: Hack-and-slash kiting and dodge positioning
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
Champions of Norrath leans harder on variance: Random loot drops drive progression
Optimization7 vs 7
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.