after playing the game. i do find the gameplay very stiff. i was hoping that the character's maneuverability would have been a little more. the jump feels like i dont have much height and get trapped by the hands and cannot escape. the parrying mechanic reminds me of the Samurai jack gba game with the gemstone season mechanic (you done better ) but it also doesnt get very strong so i get up spamming the attack
i do think you are on the right course to the gameplay, just needs a bit more refinement for me.