Building comparison
head to head
Final Fantasy XIIIvsFrom Dust
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Final Fantasy XIII
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Linear JRPG built around real-time paradigm switching and stagger combat.
From Dust
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A god game about sculpting terrain to shepherd a tribe past simulated floods and lava.
Final Fantasy XIII leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); From Dust leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Final Fantasy XIIIFrom Dust
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fantasy XIII
Paradigm shifts need timely menu reactions
From Dust
Cursor-based terrain scooping, no dexterity 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.
Final Fantasy XIII
Scripted stagger-phase bosses
From Dust
Nature isn't an adaptive opponent
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fantasy XIII
Minor randomness in enemy actions
From Dust
Fluid simulation produces mild unpredictability
Optimization7 vs 7
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fantasy XIII
Paradigm sequencing and stagger timing are solvable
From Dust
Terraforming puzzles with discoverable optimal solutions
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.