I'd assume I'll throw the first one away, so no framework. Just use C# in a console. wasd+ is input. Game loop is update positions based on input, convert positions to an ascii 2d array, print ascii.
Just those could get you to step 7. Then take stock and decide whether you want to restart the project in a framework or push on.
That doesn't get me out of my language/framework paralysis, but otherwise it looks like a decent roadmap.
Thanks mate. Also your game is amazing; thanks for sharing it.