I don't think maps or mapping is necessary for the dungeons.
For the first half of the game. Oh god just finding the dungeons in the second half of the game was hard enough let alone the pit trap hell. :(
Don't remember it being hard to remember what spell does what, since for the most part characters have set roles. Rolf's the main character, so he gets main character type little bit of everything spells. The doctor gets healing spells, the biologist gets anti-biological monster spells, and the mechanic gets anti-mechanical monster spells. I personally only bothered with healing spells really.
For equipment, you basically have a choice between
1 two handed weapon (sword/gun)
dual wielding one handed weapons (knives and claws/boomerangs where applicable-or wait were the boomerangs two handed weapons?)
1 one handed weapon and 1 shield
dual wielding shields
If casters have trouble with survivability some people suggest giving them two shields. (though I personally didn't feel it was necessary)
Trying to remember how you get other party members. I wanted to say it was levels, but then again I think it's from going back to Rolf's house after visiting a new town. IDK. been years since I played it.
Also have Shir steal the Visiphone
then
leave her alone <_<
--
The only certain death in the universe is Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons.
Not changing this line until I beat Seven Heroes (2/24/07)