head to head
vs
MessiahvsNieR
Messiah leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); NieR leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
MessiahNieR
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
NieR leans harder on variance: loot and encounter randomness
Optimization6 vs 5
Messiah leans harder on optimization: Choosing which body to possess for each obstacle is the puzzle
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.