head to head
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is variance, and it is a single point.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
Optimising a strict social calendar and fusion economy against scripted dungeon combat.

Optimization · Pure Optimization
A claustrophobic time-loop puzzle where knowing the exact dialogue and item sequence breaks the cycle.
Persona 3 Portable leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Twelve Minutes leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Persona 3 Portable
Menu-driven combat needs no physical skill
Twelve Minutes
Point-and-click real-time loop demands minimal physical precision
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Persona 3 Portable
Shadows follow scripted weakness patterns, never adapt
Twelve Minutes
Loop characters follow scripts that update only on information triggers
Persona 3 Portable leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Persona 3 Portable
Tartarus layouts and fusion results carry randomness
Twelve Minutes
Hidden knowledge about the loop's logic creates investigative uncertainty
Twelve Minutes leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Persona 3 Portable
Calendar scheduling and persona fusion form a solvable system
Twelve Minutes
Information is the resource; knowing exactly what to say and when fully solves the loop
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.