head to head
vs
Gothic IIvsSystem Shock
Gothic II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); System Shock leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Gothic IISystem Shock
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 5
System Shock leans harder on execution: Combat and cyberspace ask competent but dated reflexes
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 3
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 7
Gothic II leans harder on optimization: Strict learning-point economy rewards ruthless planning
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.