Building comparison
head to head
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a HerovsThe Sinking City
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A class-based adventure-RPG hybrid about solving puzzles as a chosen hero archetype.
The Sinking City
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Open-world detective work testing evidence deduction without hand-holding.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Sinking City leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a HeroThe Sinking City
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero
minimal action, some timed puzzle sequences
The Sinking City
Clunky combat is deliberately undemanding
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero
scripted monster encounters, no adaptation
The Sinking City
Monsters and citizens follow fixed scripts
Variance3 vs 3
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero
random encounters and skill-check rolls
The Sinking City
Case clues are hidden information until investigated
Optimization6 vs 6
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero
class-based build and puzzle-solving depth
The Sinking City
Cross-referencing evidence and city archives is the deduction core
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.