head to head
vs
StarboundvsThe Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
Starbound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
StarboundThe Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 5
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing leans harder on variance: Loot RNG and rage-powerup rolls
Optimization7 vs 7
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.