head to head
vs
Outer WildsvsX3: Terran Conflict
Outer Wilds leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); X3: Terran Conflict leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Outer WildsX3: Terran Conflict
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
X3: Terran Conflict leans harder on execution: Manual dogfighting exists but automation replaces it.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
X3: Terran Conflict leans harder on variance: Dynamic economy fluctuations, largely modelable.
Optimization9 vs 10
X3: Terran Conflict leans harder on optimization: Trade-empire and factory-complex math is the entire game.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.