head to head
vs
Impossible MissionvsNeed for Speed: Payback
Impossible Mission leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Need for Speed: Payback leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Impossible MissionNeed for Speed: Payback
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
Need for Speed: Payback leans harder on reads: Cops and rivals run scripted pursuit logic
Variance4 vs 3
Impossible Mission leans harder on variance: Puzzle pieces randomized each playthrough
Optimization5 vs 5
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.