Building comparison
head to head
Craft the WorldvsRaft
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Craft the World
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Optimising a dwarf fortress economy against a randomly generated world.
Raft
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Growing a floating base by solving resource chains and research order against scripted ocean threats.
Craft the World leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Raft leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Craft the WorldRaft
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Craft the World
Indirect dwarf orders mean hands barely matter
Raft
Shark hook-attacks require minimal timing
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Craft the World
Monster waves follow predictable scripted triggers
Raft
Shark and seagull AI are scripted with no player modelling
Variance4 vs 4
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Craft the World
Random world generation hides resources until dug out
Raft
Island loot tables and resource drift introduce randomness
Optimization7 vs 7
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Craft the World
Fortress layout, tech tree and crafting chains are the real game
Raft
Raft expansion, food chains, and research order are solvable systems
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.