head to head
vs
ShenmuevsWhile We Wait Here
Shenmue leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); While We Wait Here leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
ShenmueWhile We Wait Here
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Shenmue leans harder on execution: QTEs and light brawling demand modest timing
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization5 vs 4
Shenmue leans harder on optimization: Clue order, NPC schedules, and move training are fully mappable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.