head to head
vs
Fallout 2vsNew Star Manager
Fallout 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); New Star Manager leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Fallout 2New Star Manager
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 2
New Star Manager leans harder on reads: AI opponents follow systems, not adaptive mind-modelling
Variance5 vs 5
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 8
Fallout 2 leans harder on optimization: SPECIAL and skill tagging with Gifted trait produce well-known dominant build strategies
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.