head to head
vs
The NeverhoodvsThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux
The Neverhood leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux leans Optimization (Light / Casual).
The NeverhoodThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux leans harder on reads: no adversarial opponent, narrative mystery
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization4 vs 3
The Neverhood leans harder on optimization: Adventure puzzle chains with single solutions
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.