head to head
vs
DownfallvsThe Dig
Downfall leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); The Dig leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
DownfallThe Dig
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Downfall leans harder on execution: Clicking through scenes has no motor demand
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Downfall leans harder on variance: Branching horrors are hidden until choices reveal them
Optimization6 vs 6
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.