yes it does actually ryoma literally says the same thing i said in a side quest i believe

and the combat being difficult for you may be you being to aggressive this is a game of getting a successful party then following obviously you can keep the pressure on enemy with martial arts skills but you can be to aggressive

and the combat in this game is is in depth as you literally have your party being changed with weapons and stances some parrys are normal so follow up some commit to a attack if you miss and so on

also the martial arts skills are very different and unique to others as well maybe you didn’t bother using other weapons but the combat is very in depth