I could say a lot about the pros and cons of the two systems, but as the OP was about which one was more confusing, I don't really get it. It has been a few months since I rode in London, and a few years (I think) since I rode in New York, but as I recall, both places have system maps posted all over the place. So I find on the map the station where I am, the station where I want to go, and look for a way to get from the one to the other. I have had success with this method even in places like China and Japan, and I don't speak Chinese or Japanese.

So I guess I don't get it. Unless the issue is how many seconds looking at the map it takes to plan out my route, I don't really see much of a difference in terms of ease of use.

Regarding other comments, I like Moscow also. It's rather grotty these days, but it works. But almost anywhere in the rich part of Asia makes for a better ride than London or New York. Maybe this is an inevitable consequence of their being so early - they were early then, so they are old now.