head to head
vs
Shadowrun ReturnsvsThe Crooked Man
Shadowrun Returns leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Crooked Man leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Shadowrun ReturnsThe Crooked Man
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
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 6
Shadowrun Returns leans harder on optimization: Karma allocation and archetype synergies have known dominant configurations
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.