head to head
vs
Fran BowvsWhispers of a Machine
Fran Bow leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Whispers of a Machine leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Fran BowWhispers of a Machine
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Fran Bow leans harder on execution: Point-and-click inputs only
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Whispers of a Machine leans harder on variance: Hidden story information drives discovery until uncovered
Optimization5 vs 5
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.