head to head
vs
Diplomacy is Not an OptionvsThief II: The Metal Age
Diplomacy is Not an Option leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief II: The Metal Age leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Diplomacy is Not an OptionThief II: The Metal Age
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Thief II: The Metal Age leans harder on variance: Camera placements and patrol timing are hidden on first entry
Optimization9 vs 9
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.