head to head
vs
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of TimevsSunless Sea
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Sunless Sea leans Variance (Systems & Chaos).
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of TimeSunless Sea
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance6 vs 7
Sunless Sea leans harder on variance: Hidden map, random events and unknown story branches dominate
Optimization7 vs 6
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time leans harder on optimization: Type matchups, inventory and recruitment planning carry runs
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.