head to head
vs
NecessevsStarbound
Necesse leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Starbound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
NecesseStarbound
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 4
Necesse leans harder on variance: World generation, loot tables, and settlement events carry RNG
Optimization6 vs 7
Starbound leans harder on optimization: Gear tiers, farming, and progression routes dominate
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.