So glad you enjoyed, OP! I finished it twice back on the PS2, with both fairly close to 100% runs (I didn't get every weapon, but all the summons, magic, optional bosses, etc).
I did appreciate the quality of life-improvements in TZA - I ended up using the fast-forward button as a run button, and also used it for grinding levels or item drops. I really enjoyed the job system in TZA, but it was also fun in the original to have a lot of freedom with the characters, so I wish the option to use either had been left in.
I kinda agree with this. The fact that people say a fast forward option helps the game just says to me there is something wrong with the base gameplay in general.
For me, the problem in the original game was that the characters didn't run fast enough for how big the world is. (I feel like the run cycle is a very brisk jog at best!) I loved the level design, especially the variety in art direction between the locales, but, yeah. The characters needed to run faster.