head to head
vs
Prison ArchitectvsScrap Mechanic
Prison Architect leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Scrap Mechanic leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Prison ArchitectScrap Mechanic
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Scrap Mechanic leans harder on execution: Basic movement and combat; building is unhurried.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 3
Prison Architect leans harder on variance: Riots and smuggling attempts introduce meaningful hidden threats
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.