head to head

Rise of the Tomb Raider cover artvsThe Legend of Zelda cover art

Rise of the Tomb RaidervsThe Legend of Zelda

Rise of the Tomb Raider leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); The Legend of Zelda leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).

EXECUTION5 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE2 /10OPTIMIZATION6 /10
Rise of the Tomb RaiderThe Legend of Zelda

Axis by axis

Execution5 vs 5

Even - both lean on execution about the same.

Reads0 vs 0

Even - both lean on reads about the same.

Variance2 vs 3

The Legend of Zelda leans harder on variance: Hidden caves and burn-every-bush secrets

Optimization6 vs 7

The Legend of Zelda leans harder on optimization: Dungeon order, item routing, and secret knowledge

Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.

full breakdown

Rise of the Tomb Raider

full breakdown

The Legend of Zelda