head to head
vs
Death StrandingvsThief Simulator 2
Death Stranding leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief Simulator 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Death StrandingThief Simulator 2
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 2
Thief Simulator 2 leans harder on reads: NPC patrols follow scripted routes, not adaptive
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.