head to head
vs
Death SquaredvsStarbound
Death Squared leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Starbound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Death SquaredStarbound
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Starbound leans harder on execution: Light platforming and combat, generous margins
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
Starbound leans harder on variance: Procedural planets and loot keep early exploration unknown
Optimization7 vs 7
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.