head to head
vs
EarthBoundvsUndertale
EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Undertale leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
EarthBoundUndertale
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 4
Undertale leans harder on execution: Bullet-hell dodging in scripted patterns
Reads0 vs 1
Undertale leans harder on reads: NPCs follow fixed dialogue trees, not adaptive
Variance4 vs 1
EarthBound leans harder on variance: PSI randomness, enemy attack variety, and encounter triggers add unpredictability
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.