head to head
vs
RaftvsStranded Deep
Raft leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stranded Deep leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
RaftStranded Deep
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 5
Stranded Deep leans harder on variance: Island layouts, loot containers, and boss shark HP vary per seed
Optimization7 vs 6
Raft leans harder on optimization: Raft expansion, food chains, and research order are solvable systems
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.