head to head
vs
Hades IIvsThe First Descendant
Hades II leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); The First Descendant leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Hades IIThe First Descendant
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 6
The First Descendant leans harder on variance: Module drop RNG and Descendant unlock rates drive the grind
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.