head to head
vs
Dark CloudvsFrontier: Elite II
Dark Cloud leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Frontier: Elite II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dark CloudFrontier: Elite II
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Frontier: Elite II leans harder on optimization: Trade routes, missions, and ship upgrades form the solvable core
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.