But I want Phoenix downs!!!

[Wolf Kanno]

Not really, it fits into the core challenge that old-school RPGs represented, which was resource management. I mean buying Phoenix Downs in later games meant nothing since if you weren't stupid you would only use a handful if even that. It's why I feel the limited inventory from SMTIV was brilliant because the game sort of forces you to use rare items more often since you were heavily restricted in using them to begin with. You would probably use those Elixers if the game forced you to only be able to carry five of them and the game had at least 30 available in chests or guaranteed item drops.