BRANCHLAW'S PROFILE

Hm, this menu could probably use some touching up. Does the play time window ever get anything else in it? Because if not, maybe you could arrange it so the gold, step, and time counters are in a smaller horizontal row.

It might also be a good idea to combine some of the menu commands into a more compact menu if you can. Like:


That way the menu is more compact, but you don't have to sacrifice any of the systems for it. Of course that's only if that sort of thing is even possible, I'm not too well-versed in RGSS/2

I rather like finding items in random containers, but at the same time I hate searching everything on every map, so maybe if you decide to do this you can implement some sort of subtle indicator that there's an object inside them. Something like the crate being open, a pot on it's side, or even just a ? or ! that appears above the character's head when you're near one.

As psy_wombats said, the monster graphics look less attractive when they're shrunken down and blurry, otherwise this look great. Maybe try filling in the smaller graphics with black as a sort of far away silhouette of the monster?

Number 1 seems like the best choice since, as you said, It would work for any type of encounter. Besides, it's pretty difficult to "steal" someone's encounter idea. They've probably all been used in some way or another before.

The Safe Zone thing sounds good too, it might be interesting to mix it up, maybe have one safe zone per dungeon near the boss fight, and then one or two others throughout the dungeon (depending on how long it is) that aren't safe.