Building comparison
head to head
Deus Ex: Human RevolutionvsGradius V
Gradius V asks more than Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and the gap is execution.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Choosing augmentation paths and routing through hubs to neutralise scripted opposition with minimal friction.
Gradius V
Optimization · Practiced Mastery
A formation-based horizontal shmup where managing your options configuration and memorising scripted enemy patterns is the game.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Gradius V leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Deus Ex: Human RevolutionGradius V
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 7
Gradius V leans clearly harder on execution.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Combat demands moderate aim; takedowns are execution-gated
Gradius V
Maintaining power-up state through dense formation fire demands precision
Reads1 vs 0
Deus Ex: Human Revolution leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Guards use scripted alert states, not player-adaptive logic
Gradius V
All enemy patterns are scripted Konami-classic formations
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Enemy positions are static once patrol patterns are learned
Gradius V
Minimal; stages are nearly deterministic
Optimization8 vs 8
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Augment loadout and approach routing solve each hub optimally
Gradius V
Options configuration, power-up sequencing, and checkpoint recovery are fully solvable
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.