What about making this multiplayer? A player starts this up and is placed immediately into a battle with another random player? Maybe a few NPCs in there for fun.
Nice idea. However, I am aiming to make a game about beating a system, rather than out-thinking someone else. The idea is to present the player with set-pieces - mostly pitched battles - that involve a few NPCs that behave in a predictable manner. Thus, the player must figure out how to solve tactical problems.
