My favorite clichés are:

The obligatory prison escape. Either you get caught by the enemy and some one rescues you, or the heroine gets caught and you must rescue her. A prison escape is mandatory for an RPG.

If you are born without a name, you are destined to walk in a set path/area, say the same thing to anyone who was born with a name.

Goos. There are ALWAYS a gooey enemy. Blobs, Slimes, Goos, Gels etc. Usually found outside the heroes home too.

(Nix Saga Frontier, FF2 and a few others) Character's muscles and brain power sponaneuosly grow ONLY after you fight some enemies, it never just happens at the dinner table. (Leveling up for those who are lost) And out of the blue a new technique or spell just dawns on them. "Oh... i think i can just now start shooting fire from my fingertips!"

For some reason only the hero can assemble a party and level up. the nemisis can only fight alone in the final battle, he must throw all his generals at the hero and his party 1 by 1.

I know when i go to take over the world and have my HUGE lair/castle I'm going to create a series of mindboggling puzzles to get from room to room, So when i go to the kitchen, i have to solve them and reset them everytime i enter/leave the room. Also, I'm going to let wild feral beasts roam my castle on the condition they become invisible and randomly attack any heroes who wish to thwart my plans. On top of this paranoia I'll create save points where they can rest up and continue their journey even if my invisible monsters and 1 by 1 generals beat them. Thats the only way to rule the world!

If you notice when someone talks to you a word is highlighted, its wise to remember it, This was my biggest problem in school, none of the teacher's words were highlighted red or blue, so i forgot them immediately.