head to head
vs
Kerbal Space ProgramvsThief: Deadly Shadows
Kerbal Space Program leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief: Deadly Shadows leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Kerbal Space ProgramThief: Deadly Shadows
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 4
Kerbal Space Program leans harder on execution: Manual piloting, docking precision
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Thief: Deadly Shadows leans harder on variance: Unknown layouts hide loot until first playthrough
Optimization10 vs 8
Kerbal Space Program leans harder on optimization: Rocket design, delta-v budget, mission planning
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.