head to head
vs
Risk of Rain ReturnsvsThe First Descendant
Risk of Rain Returns leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); The First Descendant leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Risk of Rain ReturnsThe First Descendant
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
The First Descendant leans harder on reads: PvE co-op throughout with no meaningful adaptive opponent
Variance6 vs 6
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
The First Descendant leans harder on optimization: Module builds and Descendant loadouts are extensively theory-crafted
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.