Just played the game again after the update. I like the new controls better, however they are still uncomfortable for me. I'm using a Xbox series controller and punching and shielding with RB & LB instead of RT & LT makes my hands hurt after 1 combat. I know this could be easily fixed with rebind-able controls, but I still think that RT & LT should be the default bindings.
The shield icon is perfect, great job.
I still find the AIs unfair because I cannot predict their attacks at all. The "preparation phase" of their animations that tells you where and what attack they are going to do it's very short (I've tried only beginner this time). However, thanks to the new controls I've been very close to beating intermediate (about 5% health second and third try), while I couldn't even lower its health to 40% when I tried last time with old controls.
Keep it up, overall this is very good, I love it an I'm looking forward to seeing more.