head to head
vs
DREDGEvsUltima
DREDGE leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Ultima leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
DREDGEUltima
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
DREDGE leans harder on execution: Fishing minigames and night dodging, light demands
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 7
Ultima leans harder on optimization: Stat grinding, gold loops and quest routing solve the game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.