head to head
vs
Defense Grid 2vsThe Swapper
Defense Grid 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Swapper leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Defense Grid 2The Swapper
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 0
Defense Grid 2 leans harder on variance: Spawn schedules are deterministic and previewable
Optimization9 vs 8
Defense Grid 2 leans harder on optimization: Maze routing and tower economy are a solvable puzzle
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.