head to head
vs
The Incredible MachinevsThe Witness
The Incredible Machine leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Witness leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
The Incredible MachineThe Witness
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
The Incredible Machine leans harder on execution: Placing parts requires no dexterity
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance0 vs 0
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 10
The Witness leans harder on optimization: Decoding the rule systems IS the whole game.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.