This was really, really good! I thoroughly enjoyed the game, and I thought the damage based on steps mechanic was very clever. Nicely done on this.
My only gripe was with the control scheme; since you're mostly walking, it feels like it would have been easier on the player to make the arrow keys move immediately, and the attack be pressing X and then choosing a direction to attack in. But it's a small thing, since I did eventually get used to the rhythm of the current movement system.
Great work! I hope to see this really highly ranked!
Edit: Oh, and I wanted to add that the boss's unique way of fighting and the pausing of the projectile between turns was genius!