head to head
I Have No Mouth, and I Must ScreamvsThe Roottrees Are Dead
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Roottrees Are Dead leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
I Have No Mouth, and I Must ScreamThe Roottrees Are Dead
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 0
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 5
The Roottrees Are Dead leans harder on variance: The mystery is hidden information that fully converges once solved
Optimization7 vs 8
The Roottrees Are Dead leans harder on optimization: Cross-referencing clues into deductions IS the entire game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.

