Fun game! Would've been a bit easier to get started if the controls were posted here -- didn't know you could attack for a couple of levels.
One thing to consider -- certain buttons override others, but it's not always clear which ones. For example, when I was moving up, if I pressed left a fraction of a second before removing my finger from up, then my character continued moving up.
Really dig the music and sound effects. Collecting those pearls is very comforting.