head to head
vs
Monster RanchervsWasteland 2
Monster Rancher leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Wasteland 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Monster RancherWasteland 2
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
Wasteland 2 leans harder on execution: Turn-based tactical combat has no twitch component
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance6 vs 5
Monster Rancher leans harder on variance: CD-generated monsters and hidden stat mechanics
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.