head to head
vs
Curious ExpeditionvsDarkest Dungeon
Curious Expedition leans Variance (Systems & Chaos); Darkest Dungeon leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Curious ExpeditionDarkest Dungeon
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 0
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance8 vs 7
Curious Expedition leans harder on variance: Hidden hex maps, event rolls and sanity gambles
Optimization7 vs 8
Darkest Dungeon leans harder on optimization: party comps and risk management are deeply solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.