head to head
vs
Rusty's RetirementvsSpiritfarer
Rusty's Retirement leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Spiritfarer leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Rusty's RetirementSpiritfarer
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
Spiritfarer leans harder on execution: Platforming is light and forgiving.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization4 vs 5
Spiritfarer leans harder on optimization: Boat layout and crafting loops reward planning.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.