head to head
vs
Dig IslandvsThief: The Dark Project
Dig Island leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief: The Dark Project leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dig IslandThief: The Dark Project
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Thief: The Dark Project leans harder on execution: Combat is deliberately weak; sword timing matters only as last resort
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
Thief: The Dark Project leans harder on optimization: Route planning, equipment loadout, and objective prioritisation are deeply solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.