head to head
vs
GothicvsSmoke and Sacrifice
Gothic leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Smoke and Sacrifice leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
GothicSmoke and Sacrifice
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
Smoke and Sacrifice leans harder on variance: Ecology interactions and recipes are unknown until mapped
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.