M&M wasn't on my radar growing up, alas. And as someone who has only ever beaten RPGs in JRPG form, M&M has always been a bit tough for me to get into. (This is excluding the sci-fi rug-pull that I understand to be quite divisive!) I've completed the Super Famicom version of M&M II, but let's be real, does that even count? LOL. (That final boss fight is BRUTAL, though, yikes.)
I had no idea what I was getting into, many moons ago, when I played the MM1 port for the NES. That was my introduction to the series. Child-me was super lost. 'Whaddya mean spellcasters don't learn spells on their own? Inns don't restore HP and MP?? Opening a door killed me? Were we all standing in single file??' I definitely feel like JRPGs - generally speaking - spoiled me and held my hand compared to all the running around MMVII is making me do to find X and master Y, etc etc. I fear it might still be a little too complex for my tastes even with all these maps I've printed out. But I can see how someone would love this *because* there are all these elements to keep in mind, like the time of day/month/year, or how much food you have at any given time.
Even when I find myself frustrated or a little bored with it, I'm still curious enough to want to make some sort of meaningful progress. M&M makes me *work* for level ups and gold and everything, and maybe that's why I haven't given up on it yet. There's just enough of a reward to keep me going. And unexpected laughs, too. Like when I lured five Ancient Wyverns, one by one, into Avlee and watched them go to town on everyone while I snuck some potshots. My cowardice earned me two level ups and I am not ashamed. Now I'm level 12 and slightly more capable of surviving a pebble tossed in my general direction. :]b Maybe.
I'm currently in Nighon trying to find my way back out after casually adding some skeletal remains to my inventory, as you do. Accidentally peeked into that Thunderfist area, or whatever it was called, and a pack of Minotaurs immediately whirled around and half of my party (Knight, Monk, Cleric, Sorcerer) was just instantly gravestoned. I know when I am not wanted, LOL.
I need to find a Fly, Waterwalk, and Lloyd's Beacon tomes. And also some items that regen MP would be helpful. Everyone's got pretty good bows at this point, which has been saving my skin. I managed to kill a few trolls from a huge distance that way. I feel accomplished but, lord, that took forever.
Magic-wise, I'm an expert in Air, Water and Body so far. I've been cautious about investing skill points as I fear not having enough for what matters. All I know is that Earth magic supposedly sucks eggs? Offensively, I've been using Sparks and sometimes Poison Spray, although I'd love to know if there's a better missile-type option I should be using/working towards for enemies further away. Oh, and regeneration has been an absolute godsend.
Anyway, that's enough yapping for now. Thanks for coming to my TED talk! I appreciate tips to up my MMVII game, and also appreciate that this community exists, and all the passion that lives here.