head to head
vs
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive AgevsNew Star Manager
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); New Star Manager leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive AgeNew Star Manager
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 2
New Star Manager leans harder on reads: AI opponents follow systems, not adaptive mind-modelling
Variance4 vs 5
New Star Manager leans harder on variance: Match outcomes and events carry meaningful randomness
Optimization8 vs 8
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.