I think some of the really cool things in this game are being missed. I understood the step/degress etc thing, and thought that was intuitive out of the gate, no need for explanation.
However the shields thing (getting close) was not intuitive lol :D I was trying to figure out why certain things were not working, but that makes sense of it.
Maybe instead of help, just output "Too far" or something instead of a damage number when the thing gets hit.
I think this game has a really good feeling to it, and overall it's very good. The player sprite could obviously be better lol :D Even though the enemy sprites are simple they work very well, and something similar with the player would go a long way. The sound is good and I wouldn't change anything there, the level and sound are very much in sync and the sort of churning sounds you end up with when shit gets going really fast at the end of a fight is a good effect.
Lastly, if the default mode was the winner evolving, I think that would have a lot better flow because then as the enemies get harder your choices matter, and are a reward for doing good, not for doing bad. Otherwise you can suicide a trilliondy times and just win. Plus if a player loses, they will be eager to try again, and this time try out some different tactics to get further.
Great game overall. I think it's hard to get a good coherent feel like you have between the graphics/sounds/mechanics, and you have some original and fun ideas. Great stuff!