Maybe you could make the arena a bit smaller. And yeah I get your point about the attack style but if you are going to do it that way you have to add more oomph to it(like animation, sounds) so it doesn't feel weak or limiting.
I agree. I'm in the midst of updating the animation right now. Interesting take on the Arena size. It could potentially be square. I had intended to add projectile enemies but I never got to it before the end of the jam. Spent too long animating my character :/