head to head
vs
Shadow Hearts: CovenantvsVampyr
Shadow Hearts: Covenant leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Vampyr leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Shadow Hearts: CovenantVampyr
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
Vampyr leans harder on execution: Dodge-and-stamina melee combat with modest demands
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Shadow Hearts: Covenant leans harder on variance: Random ring effects and hidden sidequest triggers.
Optimization7 vs 7
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.