head to head
vs
EarthBound BeginningsvsStarbound
EarthBound Beginnings leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Starbound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
EarthBound BeginningsStarbound
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Starbound leans harder on execution: Light platforming and combat, generous margins
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
Starbound leans harder on optimization: Gear tiers, farming, and progression routes dominate
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.