head to head
vs
Star Control: OriginsvsTransistor
Star Control: Origins leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Transistor leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Star Control: OriginsTransistor
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Star Control: Origins leans harder on variance: Planet contents and alien intentions are hidden until explored
Optimization6 vs 7
Transistor leans harder on optimization: Function loadouts have deep optimization.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.