head to head
vs
Dragon Quest XIvsStardew Valley
Dragon Quest XI leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stardew Valley leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dragon Quest XIStardew Valley
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Dragon Quest XI leans harder on execution: Draconian mode adds mild timing pressure but base is menu-only
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Stardew Valley leans harder on variance: Crop luck and geode RNG matter modestly
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.