head to head
vs
PortalvsThe Ball
Portal leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Ball leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
PortalThe Ball
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 1
The Ball leans harder on variance: Chambers are fixed and fully discoverable
Optimization8 vs 7
Portal leans harder on optimization: Pure puzzle-solving optimization.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.