Its funny with all the editing of FF1 they did to balance and modernize it (other than providing maps) FF2 seems to have been untouched (or if it was they haven't learned anything).

I swear Ive tried going in every direction looking for enemies that I can fight after the hornet/goblins/leghumpers (or whatever it was)

You think they would provide at least one direction without some uberfied atomic were-ant of hideous death insta-burninating your whole party... If it wasn't for this I think the system would be pretty cool.

The weapon part doesn't seem so bad for the time being, I just deequipped all my weapons to get one that you dont have to pay or search for upgrades in damage. But as for defense it seems if you don't want to use one of the cheap modes of leveling everything either kills you or never gets a whack in. I hate games like this that you can't play in a way thats fun. It doesnt bother me that its not realistic to beat yourselves up, or not roleplay, it bothers me that its just freaking lame.