head to head
vs
Final Fantasy VIIIvsTorchlight
Final Fantasy VIII leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Torchlight leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Final Fantasy VIIITorchlight
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 5
Torchlight leans harder on variance: Randomized loot and dungeon layouts gate power
Optimization9 vs 8
Final Fantasy VIII leans harder on optimization: Junction exploitation and draw-stock systems reduce the game to solved math
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.