Building comparison
head to head
RaftvsSimAnt
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.
Raft
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Growing a floating base by solving resource chains and research order against scripted ocean threats.
SimAnt
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Maxis simulation where you guide a black ant colony to conquer a suburban yard.
Raft leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); SimAnt leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
RaftSimAnt
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Raft
Shark hook-attacks require minimal timing
SimAnt
Light direct ant control; spider dodging is mild dexterity.
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Raft
Shark and seagull AI are scripted with no player modelling
SimAnt
Red colony AI is scripted behaviour, never models you.
Variance4 vs 4
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Raft
Island loot tables and resource drift introduce randomness
SimAnt
Spider, rain, lawnmower and yard events are random hazards.
Optimization7 vs 7
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Raft
Raft expansion, food chains, and research order are solvable systems
SimAnt
Caste ratios, pheromone trails and expansion order are solvable.
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.