head to head
vs
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven StarsvsXenogears
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Xenogears leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven StarsXenogears
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.
Variance2 vs 3
Xenogears leans harder on variance: Random encounter rate and minor gear fuel variance present
Optimization7 vs 8
Xenogears leans harder on optimization: Deathblow combos, Gear fuel economy, and ether investment are solvable systems
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.