head to head
vs
Dwarf FortressvsFTL: Faster Than Light
Dwarf Fortress leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); FTL: Faster Than Light leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Dwarf FortressFTL: Faster Than Light
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
FTL: Faster Than Light leans harder on execution: Pause-and-play tactics, no input precision.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance6 vs 7
FTL: Faster Than Light leans harder on variance: Sector events and shop rolls drive runs.
Optimization9 vs 9
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.