head to head
vs
Don't StarvevsNEO Scavenger
Don't Starve leans Variance (Systems & Chaos); NEO Scavenger leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Don't StarveNEO Scavenger
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Don't Starve leans harder on execution: Kiting combat is simple but timing matters marginally
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance7 vs 7
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
NEO Scavenger leans harder on optimization: Skill picks, crafting knowledge, and risk management
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.