head to head
vs
Picross SvsThe Witness
Picross S leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Witness leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Picross SThe Witness
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Picross S leans harder on execution: Filling grid squares needs no dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 0
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 10
The Witness leans harder on optimization: Decoding the rule systems IS the whole game.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.