head to head
vs
HeartopiavsThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Heartopia leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); The Vanishing of Ethan Carter leans Optimization (Light / Casual).
HeartopiaThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 0
Heartopia leans harder on reads: Other players socialise but rarely oppose you
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization4 vs 3
Heartopia leans harder on optimization: Efficient routines and decoration economy are the deepest layer
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.