head to head
vs
Papers, PleasevsSystem Shock
Papers, Please leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); System Shock leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Papers, PleaseSystem Shock
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
System Shock leans harder on execution: Combat and cyberspace ask competent but dated reflexes
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Papers, Please leans harder on variance: Random entrant documents and scripted-event surprises
Optimization7 vs 7
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.