Death and ATM Fees
Ness gets money from his bank account, which is jointly owned by his father. For every enemy you defeat, Dad deposits the appropriate amount of money. With your trusty ATM card you can withdraw money from and deposit money into Ness’ account.
Why would you want to put your money away?
Well, get this. Here’s what happens when you get KO’d in battle.
If you accept the offer to continue, you’re brought back to your last save point, and,
1. All of your PP is gone.
2. All of your teammates stay dead and have to be retrieved from the hospital.
3. Any items you’ve used are gone.
AND!
4. Half of all money on your person is removed.
BUT!
5. You retain all experience received up until your death!
So, if you remember to deposit your money when you’re headed somewhere dangerous, you don’t necessarily have to restart your game when you die. As long as you’re careful with your resources.
I love how the game indicates the death of your characters – suffering mortal damage, collapsing, becoming floating, ghostly images with halos.
And yet when you go to the hospital, reception will tell you that your “departed” have actually been there all along! You just have to pay money for their release.
It’s a pretty funny way for the game to have its cake and eat it, too. Even when using strong language and imagery to suggest the end your life, the same authority (the game) tells you that it’s okay, their parachutes deployed, they’re alive after all!