I like the overall concept, though having played games that had similar elements I can easily find a lot that could be improved, given both time and thought. 

The most important problem is that the Action Turn System (the wait bars in conjunction with a turn-based combat system) was so slow as to artificially make the game longer then it needed to, and outside of showing that the final boss is REALLY slow at attacking, doesn't accomplish it's ideal purposes. I love the exploration music you picked, btw.

And the artstyle was cute.

I'm a fan of turn-based combat so I really like the idea here. I also like that map system, it remenbers me of the map from One step from Eden and fits the theme well, I'm sad I didn't think of something like that. (I wonder if that's were you took inspiration from, since i'm sure this wasn't the game that invented this kind of progression, but was the only one with it that I played so...)

I also liked the art and the character designs, they're pretty cute. The music you chose is way more intense than it has any reason to be tho, holy moly  x)

However, the waiting system doesn't have much reason to exist and it does slow the gameplay a bit too much. I genuinelly just went full speed when given the upgrade options just to have to wait a little less. Guarding is also kinda useless tbh, maybe it would be more usable if you didn't recover hp between fights.

Also, the game is bugged for me, I wasn't gaining any money from battles and couldn't learn any of the skills lol

I've been on a huge Slay the Spire kick recently so this was cool to see! I really like the character designs for each cat!