head to head
vs
Castlevania: Aria of SorrowvsRick Dangerous
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Rick Dangerous leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Castlevania: Aria of SorrowRick Dangerous
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 6
Rick Dangerous leans harder on execution: Pixel-precise dodges once traps are known.
Reads1 vs 0
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow leans harder on reads: Scripted enemies
Variance3 vs 4
Rick Dangerous leans harder on variance: Unknowable first-time death traps until memorised.
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.