head to head
vs
EarthBoundvsSubnautica 2
EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Subnautica 2 leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
EarthBoundSubnautica 2
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Subnautica 2 leans harder on execution: Evading fauna takes mild piloting, never twitch mastery
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 5
Subnautica 2 leans harder on variance: Unknown depths and creature placement drive early tension
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.