head to head
vs
Core KeepervsProject Zomboid
Core Keeper leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Project Zomboid leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Core KeeperProject Zomboid
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 5
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Project Zomboid leans harder on optimization: Skill grinding, base setup, and routing define survival.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.