head to head

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim cover artvsXenogears cover art

The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimvsXenogears

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Xenogears leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).

EXECUTION3 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE2 /10OPTIMIZATION7 /10
The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimXenogears

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.

full breakdown

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

full breakdown

Xenogears