head to head
vs
Pokémon Super Mystery DungeonvsSunless Sea
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Sunless Sea leans Variance (Systems & Chaos).
Pokémon Super Mystery DungeonSunless 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 Super Mystery Dungeon leans harder on optimization: Type matchups, inventory and positioning math 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.