head to head
vs
GunpointvsThe Incredible Machine 2
Gunpoint leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Incredible Machine 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
GunpointThe Incredible Machine 2
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Gunpoint leans harder on execution: Jump timing matters occasionally, lightly
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
The Incredible Machine 2 leans harder on optimization: Deducing the working contraption from given parts is everything
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.