That does sound like a very good starting point. I was actually going to try to start off with the battle system but I think getting actual level designs would be better. Is there a way to get the texture mapping from the level itself? Not just the floor mapping, but the building and landscape textures? I would like to make it as close to original as possible so that nothing is too high poly. If not I can get some textures off google. Thanks for the suggestion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVUPQcahOBg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVUPQcahOBg