head to head
vs
DownwellvsSuper Mario Bros. 35
Downwell leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario Bros. 35 leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
DownwellSuper Mario Bros. 35
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 8
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 2
Super Mario Bros. 35 leans harder on reads: Opponents matter but interaction is indirect enemy-sending
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization4 vs 5
Super Mario Bros. 35 leans harder on optimization: Coin economy, item timing and level picks reward strategy
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.