Pace how can two things be the same if one is worse than the other
One maybe worse but then the partial can become worse than the full
Take the Biggin crash? The pilot had a partial and could have used that partial to have controlled his descent to a field landing.
he must have considered that the partial power would take him back to an on airport landing a better situation on the face of it than landing in a field.
In that situation what appeared as a better option quickly deteriorated to a worse option with the result that the pilot crashed and was killed.
In both situations you have an engine problem and in the partial unless its fixable as BPF says pilot induced you will not really know the outcome.
With the full failure at least you can put your full focus to the forced landing as one way or another you are going to arrive back on terra firma,
With more options you have more choices with more choices you have the option to make the wrong choice 
BTW I did add the word ALMOST
To the statement of your above
Pace