head to head
vs
Gems of WarvsX-COM: UFO Defense
Gems of War leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); X-COM: UFO Defense leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Gems of WarX-COM: UFO Defense
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 0
Gems of War leans harder on reads: Async PvP defenses are AI-piloted, nothing adapts to you
Variance6 vs 6
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
X-COM: UFO Defense leans harder on optimization: Base economy, research order, and tactical doctrine are masterable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.