head to head
vs
CupheadvsR-Type
Cuphead leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); R-Type leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
CupheadR-Type
Axis by axis
Execution9 vs 8
Cuphead leans harder on execution: Tight dodging and parry timing decide every boss.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 8
R-Type leans harder on optimization: Force pod placement and route memorization are half the game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.