head to head
vs
Endling: Extinction is ForevervsShenmue
Endling: Extinction is Forever leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Shenmue leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Endling: Extinction is ForeverShenmue
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Shenmue leans harder on execution: QTEs and light brawling demand modest timing
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Endling: Extinction is Forever leans harder on variance: Food and danger spots shift night to night
Optimization5 vs 5
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.