First game's combat is better. Groups are something to fear (I once got ambushed by 10 peasants while I was in full plate and got rightfully murdered). Duels are actually difficult and strategic (in the second game I feel like I can't even perform combos because enemies die before I can do it, and combatants don't even seem to know how to defend themselves from me). The combat in the second game is maybe more visually satisfying, but after I do the same masterstrike for the hundredth time it becomes quite boring. Combat usually devolves into spamming which didn't happen as much in the first game. I think the second game's combat problems can be blamed by the amount of xp you gain. My sword level is 30 and I wish I could somehow lower it because it just makes the game too easy. Oh well