head to head
vs
Gothic IIvsX4: Foundations
Gothic II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); X4: Foundations leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Gothic IIX4: Foundations
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 3
Gothic II leans harder on execution: Directional melee timing against tough fauna
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 2
Gothic II leans harder on variance: First-run surprises until the island is mapped
Optimization8 vs 10
X4: Foundations leans harder on optimization: Station logistics and empire economics are a pure engine problem.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.