Yes, it gets about 1000% better. I had the same experience in the beginning and was thinking "wtf is this game? It's so clunky and I can barely do anything properly." But if you stick with it you slowly realize that's an intended feature that slowly melts away early-mid game. You're meant to start off a literal peasant and grow into something more. And that growth also comes with actual proficiency in the game's systems - be it sneaking, crafting, rizzing it up, or fighting. It was a slog at the beginning but I ended up putting many hours into that game with like three or four play throughs to try different play styles. Once you level some of the stats I also found it could actually be super relaxing game where you can literally just stroll through the forest, explore, and have a chill time. In addition to, you know, going into war in full plate to slice and bonk some baddies.