head to head
vs
Castlevania: Symphony of the NightvsStar Control: Origins
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Star Control: Origins leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Castlevania: Symphony of the NightStar Control: Origins
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Star Control: Origins leans harder on variance: Planet contents and alien intentions are hidden until explored
Optimization7 vs 6
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night leans harder on optimization: Build crafting and sequence breaks
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.