head to head
vs
Child of LightvsDeath Squared
Child of Light leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Death Squared leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Child of LightDeath Squared
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.
Variance2 vs 3
Death Squared leans harder on variance: Hidden traps punish until discovered, then stay fixed
Optimization8 vs 7
Child of Light leans harder on optimization: Timeline manipulation, oculi crafting, skill trees
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.