head to head
vs
ELEX IIvsPrey (2017)
ELEX II leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Prey (2017) leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
ELEX IIPrey (2017)
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 4
ELEX II leans harder on execution: Jetpack-augmented action combat, real timing
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Prey (2017) leans harder on optimization: Neuromods, builds, station routing 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.