wow a 30 hour rpg in only 2 years. That's impressive! I always wanted to try an rpg after I made my very first game but it just seemed like too much for me.
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Rpgs are a lot of work if you're trying to make tons of characters, and enemies, and write a story, and sidequests... I'm working on a 99 character rpg currently, so I often let my ideas get too... ambitious.
I'd recommend really trying to limit your game scope to 1 party of 3-5 characters and a pretty simple dungeon or map if you want to try making one. I believe anyone can make an rpg, it's just a matter of keeping your scope small on your first ones to prevent burnout. You'll learn a lot from it though, like how to stick to one overall mechanic for combat and how to balance groups of characters/monsters both against and with each other.
Yeah changing equipment and exploring the world to find it or get it from side quests would be ideal I think. Then there's no grinding involved so that's a good idea. But it makes me wonder then why have monsters in the first place? They'd have to serve some kind of purpose other than just be in your way. Maybe just give them item drops and cash for killing them that can be used for upgrading equipment ?