Building comparison
head to head
Fallout: New VegasvsThrough the Darkest of Times
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Fallout: New Vegas demands more execution; Through the Darkest of Times demands more variance.
Fallout: New Vegas
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A faction-driven RPG-shooter where build and route planning shape every ending.
Through the Darkest of Times
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Risk-budgeting resistance actions against historical events and probabilistic crackdowns.
Fallout: New Vegas leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Through the Darkest of Times leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Fallout: New VegasThrough the Darkest of Times
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 0
Fallout: New Vegas leans clearly harder on execution.
Fallout: New Vegas
Shooter inputs with VATS assist
Through the Darkest of Times
Turn-based planning with no physical component
Reads1 vs 0
Fallout: New Vegas leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Fallout: New Vegas
Scripted factions and enemies
Through the Darkest of Times
The regime escalates on historical script, not by modelling you
Variance2 vs 4
Through the Darkest of Times leans clearly harder on variance.
Fallout: New Vegas
Some loot and crit RNG
Through the Darkest of Times
Raids, arrests and event outcomes roll against hidden odds
Optimization8 vs 7
Fallout: New Vegas leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Fallout: New Vegas
Faction routing, perks, builds heavily rewarded
Through the Darkest of Times
Balancing morale, funds and member risk is a solvable system
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.