head to head
vs
Lost Soul AsidevsNier: Automata
Lost Soul Aside leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Nier: Automata leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Lost Soul AsideNier: Automata
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 8
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
Nier: Automata leans harder on variance: Loot drops and chip rolls add minor randomness to builds
Optimization5 vs 6
Nier: Automata leans harder on optimization: Chip loadout, weapon choice, and attack routing reward systematic 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.