Building comparison
head to head
Dragon QuestvsThe Sims
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Dragon Quest
Optimization · Pure Optimization
The 1986 original that founded the Japanese RPG template.
The Sims
Optimization · Pure Optimization
An open-ended needs-and-money system that rewards efficient scheduling.
Dragon Quest leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Sims leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dragon QuestThe Sims
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
The Sims leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Dragon Quest
Menu commands only
The Sims
Clicking menus has no physical ceiling
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Dragon Quest
No adaptive opposition
The Sims
Sims run need-driven scripts, not minds
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Dragon Quest
Battle RNG and unknown world first time
The Sims
Event rolls add flavour, all quickly mapped
Optimization7 vs 6
Dragon Quest leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Dragon Quest
Grind thresholds and routes are fully solvable
The Sims
Need scheduling, career grinding and money loops are solvable
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.