I'm a big fan of these kinda games where you explore an area collect items/level up to fight bosses.
My favorite is Order of Ecclesia for the DS. It was just great gameplay, a decent story, and great art.
I'm kinda unfamiliar with the new games in the genre, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. And is there a community of people who design those games?
Yeah, the lab coat. I noticed places to use it a few times throughout the game, but I was like "well that looks like I'm supposed to come back with an item, but that can't be right, because what the fuck would make that make sense."