head to head
vs
FalloutvsGolden Sun
Fallout leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Golden Sun leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
FalloutGolden Sun
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
Golden Sun leans harder on execution: Fully turn-based Djinn-based combat; no timing demands
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Fallout leans harder on variance: To-hit rolls and random encounters
Optimization8 vs 8
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.