head to head
vs
Dread DelusionvsEarthBound
Dread Delusion leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Dread DelusionEarthBound
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Dread Delusion leans harder on execution: Combat is simple and forgiving by design
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
EarthBound leans harder on variance: PSI randomness, enemy attack variety, and encounter triggers add unpredictability
Optimization7 vs 7
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.