head to head
vs
Horizon Zero DawnvsWay of the Samurai 4
Horizon Zero Dawn leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Way of the Samurai 4 leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Horizon Zero DawnWay of the Samurai 4
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 0
Horizon Zero Dawn leans harder on reads: Machines follow fixed patterns, not adapting.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization5 vs 6
Way of the Samurai 4 leans harder on optimization: Mapping the faction branches and forging swords drives replays
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.