head to head
vs
Dig IslandvsStardew Valley
Dig Island leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stardew Valley leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dig IslandStardew Valley
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Dig Island leans harder on execution: Digging and hauling need no twitch skill
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Stardew Valley leans harder on optimization: Routing seasons, profit loops, and bundles dominates
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.