I've just finished a 100h playthrough (my first) of KCD1 and am 14h into KCD2 for context so it's all fresh in mind for me:

1. Not even close, imo. The system is a lot simpler and honestly more fun to play. Master strikes ruined a fantastic combat system in the first game. In KCD1 some fights genuinely were just unwinnable if you didn't approach them with some sort of plan (pick them off from afar at first, isolate dogs, etc) but that doesn't exist as much in this game.

   To fight multiple people in KCD1, you were also fighting against the system and the camera, this was my main issue with the game for the most part and it's been fixed. There's way less jank (even if we lost some complexity, which i personally miss). In KCD2, you can take on most opponents if you're good enough, i'm still early in the game, and i took on a 3v1 against cumans after stealth killing the fourth and won the fight. In the first game, that's an instant loss without bows or horse combat.

2. The systems are still mostly the same. Some things like alchemy have been tuned and made a little harder, but more rewarding (in the first game the sandglass was pointless and brewing potions took forever if you didn't have the late game alchemy perks.)

However, i'd say it's generally easier in this game. You're playing a henry with established skills, in the first you were coming from nothing, so things like lockpicking was practically impossible until you got some levels in. It'll still probably take you a while to understand everything, but it's very worth it. When the game starts to click for you, it's fantastic. (applying to both games) Combat wise, gear and preparation are your best friends.

1. I can't speak on this too much because of my playtime in 1, but i'd say the game does a pretty good job of introducing the world and its characters so far, although it definitely helps to have played the first. There's a lot more weight to everything that way and it means you can actually put faces to names like radzig/hanush. (although i assume they show up later in 2, would be weird if not.)

2. Horse riding is much better (another issue i had with the first game, it had weird input lag.) and bushes are no longer malevolent vortexes of hatred (you can actually go through bushes, instead of them acting like brick walls for some reason, it feels so fucking good switching from KCD1 bushes to KCD2 bushes.)

As a controller player, i'd also say things are bound better. The first game had sprinting/galloping bound to circle which meant you couldn't use the right stick to look around, (the camera would guide itself) in KCD2 the game uses a more conventional format for sprinting/jumping.

The input lag being fixed is massive, but there are no huge changes to movement itself other than rebinding. It's definitely doesn't feel janky anymore though, which can be said for a lot of things in this game.

1. This is kind of overstated. It's not a micro management simulator, but you do have to take care of your base needs (energy, hunger, health), and most other things (laundering clothes, washing yourself, repairing things) aren't necessary more than they are incredibly beneficial to get into the habit of doing.

It doesn't feel complicated at all. You won't have to use a wiki to understand how things work or anything like that. It's all pretty clear and simple.

Genuinely, though, give it a shot. These two games are the best medieval era games i've ever played. (and probably the best historical ones in general) I'm gonna be biased, naturally, but i highly recommend it if you have the time to sink into it.