head to head
vs
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2vsX4: Foundations
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); X4: Foundations leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2X4: Foundations
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 3
X4: Foundations leans harder on execution: Flying your own ship matters early, fleets later.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 10
X4: Foundations leans harder on optimization: Station logistics and empire economics are a pure engine problem.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.