head to head
vs
GunpointvsThe Cave
Gunpoint leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Cave leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
GunpointThe Cave
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
The Cave leans harder on variance: Each character's section is unknown on first descent
Optimization7 vs 6
Gunpoint leans harder on optimization: Crosslink rewiring puzzles have clean optimal solutions
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.