head to head
vs
The Longest JourneyvsThe Talos Principle
The Longest Journey leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Talos Principle leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
The Longest JourneyThe Talos Principle
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.
Variance1 vs 0
The Longest Journey leans harder on variance: Linear world states with essentially no hidden randomness
Optimization8 vs 9
The Talos Principle leans harder on optimization: Finding the exact sequence to bypass each set of obstacles and sigils
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.