I've always felt as though I'm unable to fully enjoy RPGs. Final Fantasy is one of my favourite series of games, but outside of that it's pretty limited. Undertale was probably the last RPG I played that I liked, mostly because it did something different with the combat system and the puzzle aspects weren't too over the top. I feel the same way about CrossCode, but I would put that game into a different category as it isn't a traditional RPG.
I just don't want to sink a ton of time into a game that is mostly a grind with story elements and payoffs that are few and far between when I could play a different kind of game that is at least continuously stimulating.
I usually go with Mario, Peach, and Bowser. I like the brute strength of Bowser while also having Peach as a healer, usually with the Lazy Shell armor.
I'm going to have to give this Level 3 challenge a try next time. Also, I always felt like items could be timed for Freebies, but I could never find anything or anyone online confirming it.