head to head
vs
EarthBoundvsGolden Sun
EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Golden Sun leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
EarthBoundGolden Sun
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
EarthBound leans harder on variance: PSI randomness, enemy attack variety, and encounter triggers add unpredictability
Optimization7 vs 8
Golden Sun leans harder on optimization: Djinn set theory, Psynergy routing, and summon sequencing are deeply solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.