Building comparison
head to head
PortalvsRiven
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Portal demands more execution; Riven demands more variance.
Portal
Optimization · Pure Optimization
The portal-gun puzzle game whose solutions are everything.
Riven
Optimization · Pure Optimization
The Myst sequel: a slow, wordless puzzle adventure solved by observing an alien world's internal logic.
Portal leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Riven leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
PortalRiven
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 0
Portal leans clearly harder on execution.
Portal
Portal placement timing modest.
Riven
Point-and-click; no dexterity required at all
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Portal
No adversary modeling player.
Riven
No opponent of any kind
Variance0 vs 2
Riven leans clearly harder on variance.
Portal
Deterministic chambers; no randomness.
Riven
Information is hidden only until you observe it
Optimization8 vs 9
Riven leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Portal
Pure puzzle-solving optimization.
Riven
Deciphering the world's logic is one giant solvable puzzle
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.