Perhaps we can bounce ideas here on this topic. I like the card idea incorporated into a board game idea. 2-4 players. You can have two stacks of cards: Random encounter (red cards)and treasure(yellow cards). You roll 4 dice to move: Two dice have numbers the other two have red and yellow (red for encounter, yellow for treasure) Less yellow on each dice than red. Random encounter will include enemies and characters you meet (the Dr. L, haspby, etc.)
Character cards for each of the main characters with stats for each. HP increase by level, MP also. Not sure how to do this in the board game but I'm sure there is a way. Perhaps a sliding card thing with incremental levels.Just a few ideas.