head to head
vs
Grim FandangovsKathy Rain
Grim Fandango leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Kathy Rain leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Grim FandangoKathy Rain
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Kathy Rain leans harder on variance: Mystery beats are hidden only until discovered
Optimization8 vs 7
Grim Fandango leans harder on optimization: Surreal multi-act puzzle chains demand patient causal reasoning
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.