head to head
vs
The Curse of Monkey IslandvsThe Past Within
The Curse of Monkey Island leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Past Within leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
The Curse of Monkey IslandThe Past Within
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
The Past Within leans harder on execution: Simple manipulation; no dexterity test.
Reads0 vs 1
The Past Within leans harder on reads: Partner cooperates rather than opposes; trivial adaptation.
Variance3 vs 4
The Past Within leans harder on variance: Each player holds information hidden from the other.
Optimization7 vs 8
The Past Within leans harder on optimization: Cross-referencing two fixed puzzle halves solves everything.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.