head to head
vs
Heat SignaturevsKenshi
Heat Signature leans Variance (Systems & Chaos); Kenshi leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Heat SignatureKenshi
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance7 vs 6
Heat Signature leans harder on variance: Procedural ships, gear, and mission rolls
Optimization7 vs 8
Kenshi leans harder on optimization: Squad composition, base design, and skill levelling routes are deeply solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.