head to head
vs
Middle-earth: Shadow of WarvsSystem Shock 2
Middle-earth: Shadow of War leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); System Shock 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Middle-earth: Shadow of WarSystem Shock 2
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 6
System Shock 2 leans harder on execution: Weapon degradation and limited stats moderate the raw aim ceiling
Reads1 vs 0
Middle-earth: Shadow of War leans harder on reads: Nemesis system mimics adaptation but follows knowable rules
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 9
System Shock 2 leans harder on optimization: Deep build tree and resource conservation define the entire skill ceiling
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.