head to head
vs
The Incredible MachinevsThe Longest Journey
The Incredible Machine leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Longest Journey leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
The Incredible MachineThe Longest Journey
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 1
The Longest Journey leans harder on variance: Linear world states with essentially no hidden randomness
Optimization9 vs 8
The Incredible Machine leans harder on optimization: Each contraption is a solvable logic puzzle
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.