head to head
vs
GothicvsSmalland: Survive the Wilds
Gothic leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Smalland: Survive the Wilds leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
GothicSmalland: Survive the Wilds
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
Smalland: Survive the Wilds leans harder on variance: Resource spawns and creature patrols carry moderate randomness
Optimization7 vs 6
Gothic leans harder on optimization: Faction routes, skill investment, and world knowledge
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.