This is fun, I look forward to seeing how it develops. A couple of comments:
When running on the map screen and pushing directions on both the x and y axis, I get stuck on north and south walls. I can still move freely on east and west ones. For example, when moving up and right at the same time, if you hit a wall on the right you'll still move up, but if you hit a wall above you you won't move right even though there is room to move.
After you KO your enemy in the monster battles, the screen goes back to the map instantly. It would be cool if the battle screen stayed up for another ~2 seconds while your foe fell down / exploded / whatever. Especially if it happened in slow motion.