head to head
vs
Death StrandingvsPathologic 3
Death Stranding leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Pathologic 3 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Death StrandingPathologic 3
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 0
Death Stranding leans harder on reads: BTs and MULEs scripted, predictable.
Variance3 vs 4
Pathologic 3 leans harder on variance: Disease spread and resource scarcity add unpredictability.
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.