head to head
vs
Risk of RainvsSpelunky
Risk of Rain leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Spelunky leans Execution (Twitch Chaos).
Risk of RainSpelunky
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 8
Spelunky leans harder on execution: Tight platforming and whip control under constant threat.
Reads0 vs 1
Spelunky leans harder on reads: Enemy AI is scripted; no adaptive opponents.
Variance6 vs 7
Spelunky leans harder on variance: Procedural caves and item rolls shape every run.
Optimization7 vs 6
Risk of Rain leans harder on optimization: Item stacking and time-pressure routing is solvable.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.