head to head
vs
X-COM: UFO DefensevsXCOM: Chimera Squad
X-COM: UFO Defense leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); XCOM: Chimera Squad leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos).
X-COM: UFO DefenseXCOM: Chimera Squad
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
XCOM: Chimera Squad leans harder on execution: Breach placement is the only real timing element
Reads0 vs 1
XCOM: Chimera Squad leans harder on reads: Enemy AI is scripted; faction types telegraph their behavior predictably
Variance6 vs 6
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.