head to head
vs
The Outer WorldsvsThe Secret World
The Outer Worlds leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); The Secret World leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
The Outer WorldsThe Secret World
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
The Secret World leans harder on variance: Investigation puzzles hide information until researched.
Optimization7 vs 8
The Secret World leans harder on optimization: The classless ability wheel is a giant build-solving exercise.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.