head to head
vs
Mortal Kombat XvsThe King of Fighters 2001
Mortal Kombat X leans Execution (Grand Arena); The King of Fighters 2001 leans Execution (Competitive PvP).
Mortal Kombat XThe King of Fighters 2001
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 8
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads8 vs 7
Mortal Kombat X leans harder on reads: Reading opponent's variation choice and tendency shifts the matchup
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 5
Mortal Kombat X leans harder on optimization: Variation selection and optimal punish routes require systematic study
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.