head to head
vs
RivenvsThe Secret of Monkey Island
Riven leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Secret of Monkey Island leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
RivenThe Secret of Monkey Island
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
The Secret of Monkey Island leans harder on execution: Clicking inventory items demands no twitch skill whatsoever
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 8
Riven leans harder on optimization: Deciphering the world's logic is one giant solvable puzzle
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.