head to head
vs
Day of the TentaclevsRiven
Day of the Tentacle leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Riven leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Day of the TentacleRiven
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Day of the Tentacle leans harder on execution: SCUMM interface eliminates any timing or motor demand
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
Riven leans harder on variance: Information is hidden only until you observe it
Optimization9 vs 9
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.