head to head
vs
Death StrandingvsSteamWorld Heist
Death Stranding leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); SteamWorld Heist leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Death StrandingSteamWorld Heist
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 4
SteamWorld Heist leans harder on execution: Manual aim and ricochet shots reward steady hands
Reads1 vs 0
Death Stranding leans harder on reads: BTs and MULEs scripted, predictable.
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.