I think X is the better game.
One of the big things for me in X was how good the sidequests were in comparison with the original, the affinity and normal quests were pretty good, I actually cared about completing them, unlike the original.
While the story in the original may be more epic per say, I also like X bigger focus on characters and overall I enjoyed it, it contains the tropes and moments that I have come to love in stories and that is more than enough.
The soundtrack in X is absolutely amazing, there is not a single track I don't love.
And also the gameplay, I like the improvments like the Soul Voice system and dual weapons for ranged and close combat, the appendage mechanic, ect. and Skells, cannot forget the Skells