head to head
vs
Scrap MechanicvsThe Escapists
Scrap Mechanic leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Escapists leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Scrap MechanicThe Escapists
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Scrap Mechanic leans harder on execution: Basic movement and combat; building is unhurried.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Scrap Mechanic leans harder on variance: Survival mode loot and world generation add some randomness.
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.