Building comparison
head to head
Escape from Monkey IslandvsThe Sims
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Escape from Monkey Island
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A comedic point-and-click adventure of pirate puzzles with fixed solutions.
The Sims
Optimization · Pure Optimization
An open-ended needs-and-money system that rewards efficient scheduling.
Escape from Monkey Island leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Sims leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Escape from Monkey IslandThe Sims
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Escape from Monkey Island
Pointing and walking only
The Sims
Clicking menus has no physical ceiling
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Escape from Monkey Island
No opponent
The Sims
Sims run need-driven scripts, not minds
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Escape from Monkey Island
Puzzle solutions hidden until discovered
The Sims
Event rolls add flavour, all quickly mapped
Optimization6 vs 6
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Escape from Monkey Island
Once known, every puzzle has one fixed answer
The Sims
Need scheduling, career grinding and money loops are solvable
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.