head to head
vs
Star Ocean: The Second StoryvsSystem Shock 2
Star Ocean: The Second Story leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); System Shock 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Star Ocean: The Second StorySystem Shock 2
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 9
System Shock 2 leans harder on optimization: Deep build tree and resource conservation define the entire skill ceiling
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.