head to head
vs
CreaksvsMachinarium
Creaks leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Machinarium leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
CreaksMachinarium
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.
Variance1 vs 2
Machinarium leans harder on variance: Arcade mini-games add minor randomness but are skipable
Optimization8 vs 9
Machinarium leans harder on optimization: Environmental logic puzzles are tightly designed closed-world problems
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.