Building comparison
head to head
Pokemon HeartGold VersionvsPortal 2
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Pokemon HeartGold Version demands more variance; Portal 2 demands more execution.
Pokemon HeartGold Version
Optimization · Pure Optimization
The beloved DS remake of Johto with walking companions and both Johto and Kanto to conquer.
Portal 2
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A first-person puzzle game where seeing the solution is the whole skill.
Pokemon HeartGold Version leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Portal 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Pokemon HeartGold VersionPortal 2
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 3
Portal 2 leans clearly harder on execution.
Pokemon HeartGold Version
Menu battles; no physical skill tested
Portal 2
Portal placement requires some precision but timing is lenient.
Reads2 vs 0
Pokemon HeartGold Version leans clearly harder on reads.
Pokemon HeartGold Version
Scripted trainer AI; online battles optional
Portal 2
No opponent; puzzles are static.
Variance3 vs 0
Pokemon HeartGold Version leans clearly harder on variance.
Pokemon HeartGold Version
Encounter RNG, catch rates, Pokewalker luck
Portal 2
Puzzles are deterministic with no randomness.
Optimization8 vs 9
Portal 2 leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Pokemon HeartGold Version
Sixteen badges of team building and matchup planning
Portal 2
Solving the puzzle's logic IS the entire game.
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.