I suppose it's more about filling a gap in the market, where the previous offerings like the HD500x sat, as well as offering the same (or slightly reduced) model sets to those wanting to trade up from the likes of the Zoom B3n, without having to commit to expensive gear that people might only use a fraction of their potential.
Both the HX Stomp and POD Go are "compromised", but they also offer excellent possibilities for people who want access to the palette offered by Helix, but can neither afford or justify buying into Helix.
One of the great things about POD Go, IMO, is that you have access to all six footswitches when you're in the "play" mode. In the "select" mode, you have the choice of the 4 presets, and the "up"/"down" switches, which is great if you need to switch between presets quickly. Then you have access to the Snapshots, which TBH, I haven't used and can't quite see the point of from a bass player's perspective, but they allow you to change parameters in a preset (for example, adding more boost, changing an EQ, intensifying an effect, etc.). This is the big selling point of the POD Go over the HX Stomp, but they had to make some compromises to achieve the price point I suppose.
Although I use effects, and have been a long time user of Line6 gear, I'm quite liking the approach that using the POD Go gives me. I get access to the amp/cab models, a wah and a volume pedal, FX Loop, EQ (you can select which sort of EQ) and 4 different pedal types. Not a massive amount, but enough to give me a great sound (well, I think it's a great sound! ), doesn't break the bank, and gives me loads of other options to have different setups for different occasions. Must admit though, that I do tend to find a great base amp/cab setting, then copy it over to another slot, and add different effects.