head to head
vs
EarthBoundvsThe Bard's Tale IV
EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Bard's Tale IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
EarthBoundThe Bard's Tale IV
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
The Bard's Tale IV leans harder on optimization: deep party build and puzzle-solving systems
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.