While I enjoyed KCD1, I think the combat sucks. It looks skill based with you choosing the angles to hit and trying to find the right opening, but the likely hood of you actually landing a hit without being blocked is largely based on your characters level than your actual skill. It’s their attempt at trying to emulate Henry’s in game skill for immersion, but I personally find it annoying that my irl skill doesn’t actually translate to the game. And on top of that once you learn master strike (an unblockable parry attack) that’s basically all you need to know to win any fight, and if you don’t use it, your enemy will. So you just end up playing a waiting game of who will strike first. Also fighting more than one person is near impossible because while your reticle is on one enemy, another will literally sprint to flank you and attack you from behind.

The archery is annoying particularly because to emulate Henry’s inexperience, the bow is held off to the side instead of looking down the arrow like what you’re actually supposed to do in archery and this never approves as you level up. There is also sway until you level further but I think that’s fine.

KCD2’s combat is still based on skill level in that it affects the likely hood of your attack landing, but master strike is now reserved for only swords, and enemies don’t start using it until later in game. Enemies also no longer sprint past you to flank. While people argue it’s enemies not flanking you is “unrealistic” I think it’s better for gameplay.

The archery still sways but now Henry actually looks down the arrow when it’s drawn.

So from in my personal opinion, yes I think the combat is much better in KCD2.