i dig it, and i dont really feel that it is the drastic departure from the original as you stated. I also dont understand how making the battlefield look like your actually IN a field makes you feel more restricted than fighting within a tiny arena. We all know you can't run around the battle scenes, its a final fantasy game. I agree with sticking to the original materials, but when they can easily be improved upon, it would be a mistake to not take advantage of that.
Sorry kudisto, though i do value your opinion, we'll have to agree to disagree this.
Also, a transistion is in the works for the foregound/background mismatch. I'll do what i can, but there isn't really much room to fade the 2 together. Your going from a horizontal ground immedietly to a false backdrop. Think looney tunes when they hold up the fake tunnel and wile runs into it. That is basically how the background is structured.
also, in the picture you are looking up a hill, which amplifies the "cliff" that you are talking about, because it basically IS a cliff from that perspective. These scens need to be good, but most of the small flaws cannot be corrected unless we remodel the entire scenes...which i intend to do once i give a bunch of them the once-over graphic treatment.
lee