head to head
vs
Eliminator Boat DuelvsThe Need for Speed
Eliminator Boat Duel leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); The Need for Speed leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Eliminator Boat DuelThe Need for Speed
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 7
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
The Need for Speed leans harder on reads: AI rivals and police follow fixed behaviour
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization4 vs 3
Eliminator Boat Duel leans harder on optimization: Upgrade spending and course memorisation give the edge
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.