New Features in Old-Style RPGs?

[Thaius]

I made a topic like this quite a while back, but reasons have come up to once again ask my favorite gaming community what they think!

Say a new game was made in the spirit and style of Chrono Trigger, old-school Final Fantasy, all those NES and SNES era RPGs we know and love. Some things should obviously stay the same (the pixelated art style, the synthesized music, etc.), but what features should be added? Should there be a journal? Custom level-up? The ability to set waypoints on the world map? Or should nothing happen to modernize a style that has long been revered and missed as it is?

 

[Karthesios]

I've been fond of the journal/synopsis feature, since there could be long periods of time where I won't play a game (usually since I'm playing something else), so it's a nice feature that helps avoid confusion over where I left off when I stopped playing something six months ago.

 

[Judgement101]

Coustomizable characters. You get 15 pixels and you can change their colors. My pink and gray triangle made of squares would be sooooooooo awesome.

 

[Space Spoons]

I'd like some kind of new take on the equipment system. I'm not entirely sure where they could take it, I just know the old "Wood Sword, Iron Sword, Steel Sword, Crystal Sword, Excalibur" thing is way past its prime.

 

[trog08]

So something like 3D Pixel Dot Game Heroes for PS3? That game kinda like what you described and its got the create a character feature.

 

[Thaius]

I'd like some kind of new take on the equipment system. I'm not entirely sure where they could take it, I just know the old "Wood Sword, Iron Sword, Steel Sword, Crystal Sword, Excalibur" thing is way past its prime.

Very interesting idea. I suppose it is the standard, and it is the easiest way to do things, but finding another way to do it would be interesting...