head to head
vs
Fable IIIvsShenmue II
Fable III leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Shenmue II leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Fable IIIShenmue II
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
Shenmue II leans harder on variance: Gambling minigames and unknown schedules add first-run fog
Optimization6 vs 5
Fable III leans harder on optimization: Treasury management and kingdom promises drive the endgame
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.