head to head
vs
Mad FathervsNobody Wants to Die
Mad Father leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Nobody Wants to Die leans Optimization (Light / Casual).
Mad FatherNobody Wants to Die
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
Mad Father leans harder on variance: Scares and puzzle items are unknown on first playthrough
Optimization4 vs 3
Mad Father leans harder on optimization: Item puzzles and ending routes are fully mappable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.