head to head
vs
Path of ExilevsTorchlight II
Path of Exile leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Torchlight II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Path of ExileTorchlight II
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.
Variance6 vs 5
Path of Exile leans harder on variance: Loot, map mods, and crafting outcomes are heavily random.
Optimization10 vs 8
Path of Exile leans harder on optimization: Passive tree, crafting, and economy form near-infinite theorycraft.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.