head to head
vs
Putt-Putt Goes to the MoonvsTales from the Borderlands
Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon leans Optimization (Light / Casual); Tales from the Borderlands leans Variance (Light / Casual).
Putt-Putt Goes to the MoonTales from the Borderlands
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.
Variance1 vs 2
Tales from the Borderlands leans harder on variance: Story branches are unknown until chosen
Optimization2 vs 1
Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon leans harder on optimization: Fixed puzzle solutions with light adventure-game logic.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.