head to head
vs
In Other WatersvsThe Sims
In Other Waters leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Sims leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
In Other WatersThe Sims
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
The Sims leans harder on execution: Clicking menus has no physical ceiling
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
In Other Waters leans harder on variance: Unknown biology revealed through exploration
Optimization6 vs 6
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.