head to head
vs
Helldivers 2vsXCOM: Enemy Unknown
Helldivers 2 leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); XCOM: Enemy Unknown leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
Helldivers 2XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 3
Helldivers 2 leans harder on execution: Recoil, stratagem inputs, friendly-fire aim
Reads2 vs 1
Helldivers 2 leans harder on reads: Enemies scripted, no adaptive opponent
Variance6 vs 7
XCOM: Enemy Unknown leans harder on variance: Hit chances, crit rolls, and mission spawns create constant RNG swings
Optimization7 vs 8
XCOM: Enemy Unknown leans harder on optimization: Squad composition, research order, and base economy are solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.