OXCE difference between xcom1 and xcom2

[Alpha Centauri Bear]

With all the modding and ruleset configurations around, I am thinking, whether xcom1 and xcom2 are that different now? Can they be made roughly equivalent in gameplay, items, research, progression, and the like?
Obviously, xcom1 focuses on land and xcom2 on water. That is a notable difference that is hard to mod and probably no need to. Other than that, are there any major differences between them? With all the modding available, which one does make sense to play?

[Meridian]

With all the modding and ruleset configurations around, I am thinking, whether xcom1 and xcom2 are that different now?

They are as different as the 90s originals.

Can they be made roughly equivalent in gameplay, items, research, progression, and the like?

They are mods of the same engine.
You can rewrite one into another and vice versa.

Obviously, xcom1 focuses on land and xcom2 on water. That is a notable difference that is hard to mod and probably no need to. Other than that, are there any major differences between them?

That's up to you to decide for yourself.

With all the modding available, which one does make sense to play?

Both.

[Alpha Centauri Bear]

Thank you. I thought the same just wanted to confirm.