head to head
vs
Kathy RainvsThe Cat Lady
Kathy Rain leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Cat Lady leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Kathy RainThe Cat Lady
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Kathy Rain leans harder on variance: Mystery beats are hidden only until discovered
Optimization7 vs 6
Kathy Rain leans harder on optimization: Fixed puzzle and dialogue chain; one solution path
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.