head to head
vs
OxenfreevsStray Cats in Cozy Town
Oxenfree leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stray Cats in Cozy Town leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
OxenfreeStray Cats in Cozy Town
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.
Variance2 vs 3
Stray Cats in Cozy Town leans harder on variance: Cat hiding spots are hidden until found
Optimization5 vs 4
Oxenfree leans harder on optimization: Relationship and dialogue choices converge toward fixed endings
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.