Building comparison
head to head
DarqvsPortal
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Darq demands more variance; Portal demands more execution.
Darq
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Solving fixed gravity-bending puzzles inside a deterministic nightmare.
Portal
Optimization · Pure Optimization
The portal-gun puzzle game whose solutions are everything.
Darq leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Portal leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
DarqPortal
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 4
Portal leans clearly harder on execution.
Darq
Slow stealth walking; minimal timing demands
Portal
Portal placement timing modest.
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Darq
Nightmare enemies patrol fixed scripted routes
Portal
No adversary modeling player.
Variance2 vs 0
Darq leans clearly harder on variance.
Darq
Puzzle solutions hidden only until first discovery
Portal
Deterministic chambers; no randomness.
Optimization7 vs 8
Portal leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Darq
Gravity-bending puzzle logic is the entire test
Portal
Pure puzzle-solving optimization.
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.