So, if I were given an opportunity to remake this game (which is a great game in its own right, props to Square and the team that worked on it as you guys were the big reason I ever bought a Playstation and got into japanese-style role playing video games), it would be that... a near total remake from the ground up.
Mostly new/re-imagined game-play mechanics, an expanded (less confusing) story and a bit more character depth (in addition to fully playable Xu(!!) and possibly the Disciplinary Committee (less exciting for me, I am biased though). One big idea I thought of was what to do with the Draw system. Whilst I am fine with keeping GFs (Guardian Forces) mostly as they are (with major retooling of their skill system), I think drawing "magic" from enemies is dumb and way, Way too exploitable. In addition, the classic system essentially makes casting magic nearly useless in battle (though that is also due to most foes having an inflated Spirit stat as their levels climb) so I think it really has to be done away with for the sake of player sanity and overall game challenge (a game needn't be balls-hard, but it should still put up a real test at times, in my opinion).
So, my idea is to remove "Draw" (and Draw Points by association). And (in theory) do the the following...
1). Characters will automatically learn traditional spells (in tune with FF series lore) as they level up, creating a pseudo job-system of character roles between them, further reinforced by their limit breaks.
2). Instead of accruing AP, defeating (and only by defeating) enemies will earn the player "elemental essences" which can be stored and redeemed (using GFs as the intermediary) for various passive bonuses and perks. (such as "No Encounters")
3). The elements gained are based on the enemy type and strength. Enemies will no longer scale in level with the player (and player characters grow in a more standard fashion with other PS2/3-era games) so it is not advisable to waste time "grinding" off weaker enemies just to get more abilities sooner, game progression is encouraged.
4). Only up to 3 GFs can be equipped per character and GFs no longer have "health" (so players are at minor risk when summoning one in battle) but will be ever more helpful. As the GF's level increases, they will automatically grant passive bonuses to the equipped character (beyond what the character can equip once enough points have been tallied).
As you can see.... that's a pretty big change. But I feel it offers a good deal of freedom still and encourages much experimentation which the whole draw/junction system of yore also did. There's way, way more things that can be given new life in this game, but for now, I'm content even just imagining how it would play just with the above in effect.... not bad, eh? ^w^
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