head to head
vs
SyndromevsThe Quarry
Syndrome leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); The Quarry leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
SyndromeThe Quarry
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Syndrome leans harder on execution: Occasional combat and sneaking need only basic control
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 5
Syndrome leans harder on optimization: Ammo rationing, routes and enemy-behaviour mapping decide survival
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.