Simplicity over complexity, time to change.

[Velhart]

Hmm, complexity is almost never a good thing.

The best way to design a game is to have simplicity with depth. Making things complex for the sake of being complex only makes it unappealing and hard to approach (yes even for "hardcore players"). If you are a game designer, if you go off the idea of wanting to be complex, you are already asking for trouble in many areas.

Look at Super Mario Bros. if you need an idea of simplicity with a lot of depth. Or even most very popular/critically acclaimed titles across all genres both offline and online. One thing that most of them have in common is they learned to be simple in design, but in depth of what you use those simple mechanics for around you.

So which final fantasy game can you die at max level in a normal encounter because I'm having a hard time thinking of one.

Technically FF8, the monsters level alongside you. Assuming you don't have your junction tab set up well.