head to head
vs
Shadowrun ReturnsvsShadows: Awakening
Shadowrun Returns leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Shadows: Awakening leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Shadowrun ReturnsShadows: Awakening
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
Shadows: Awakening leans harder on execution: Real-time switching demands some dexterity
Reads1 vs 0
Shadowrun Returns leans harder on reads: Enemy IC and guards run scripted patrol and aggro routines
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.