head to head
vs
Code Name S.T.E.A.M.vsShadowrun Returns
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Shadowrun Returns leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Code Name S.T.E.A.M.Shadowrun Returns
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. leans harder on execution: Manual third-person aiming adds a real but small hands layer
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
Shadowrun Returns leans harder on variance: Hidden enemy positioning and matrix node layouts provide first-run unknowns
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.