Building comparison
head to head
Shin Megami Tensei VvsThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Neither is simply harder - they are hard in different places. Shin Megami Tensei V demands more variance; The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim demands more execution.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Open-area SMT where essence customization and Press Turn mastery turn demons into solvable math.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Optimization · Pure Optimization
An open-world RPG mostly about discovering and stacking exploitable progression systems.
Shin Megami Tensei V leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Shin Megami Tensei VThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 3
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim leans clearly harder on execution.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Open-field exploration, but combat is pure menus.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Combat is forgiving; aim and timing rarely punish you.
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Magatsuhi and bosses are scripted patterns.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Enemy AI is scripted and exploitable; not adaptive.
Variance4 vs 2
Shin Megami Tensei V leans clearly harder on variance.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Crit and negotiation RNG add manageable noise.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Loot tables and leveled lists inject mild randomness.
Optimization9 vs 7
Shin Megami Tensei V leans clearly harder on optimization.
Shin Megami Tensei V
Essence fusion and Press Turn builds reward perfect planning.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skill stacking, enchant loops, and exploits are deeply solvable.
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.