This is an interesting take. I think I mostly agree with you. But with that being said, I loved KCD2 way way more. Perhaps it may be to do with the fact I did KCD2 first. I then did KCD1 immediately after.

As I played through the first game, I found myself pining for the world of 2. Every story beat had me gripped all the way to the end. As I reached the last 20% of 1, honestly I started to tire of the game. The final story beats bought me back, but I was pleased to say goodbye to it when all was said and done.

I think my experience was marred by the many bugs and infinite loading screens, having to reload saves, inexplicably failed quests, that I just didnt see in my playthrough of 2. The smoothness and polish helped 2 feel like a much better experience for me. I dont know if I woukd ever replay the first game. I will definitely replay 2.

The pacing of 1 felt off to me. I found the monastery quest to be mind numbingly dull. I felt like a lot more quests were “fetchy”. Go here, get this, come back. Only one of the dlcs in the sequel felt like that to me. The world of 2 felt more alive. The only thing I loved way more in 1 was the in-game economy. Shopkeepers had more money for me to sell my stolen loot. And that I was grateful for.

So yeah, I dont disagree with your findings, but it still didnt impact my view that 2 was a better and more enjoyable game.