You can get two hits in, but besides that yeah, few other viable strategy. You can also just run since most enemies are slower than you. And when fighting the three-horned bulls you also need to dodge sideways to avoid their charge. Or hit them fast enough.
Sadly didn't manage to add abilities and blocking in time.
Regarding adding objects, when I first had the idea I planned to also have ranged weapons, and some crates randomly spawn in hallways that you could drop to slow down enemies, and get a few shots in before engaging in melee. But that also sadly didn't make a cut.