Im just imagining the same experience of a top down like Zelda, Gta 2 or retro city rampage but side scrolling? Zelda 2 comes to close to what I'm thinking of minus the top down map traveling .

Maybe I'm just rambling now but I appreciate the help and insight everyone

Maybe take a look at the Castlevania series including and after Symphony of the Night?

They have an open feel where the player can explore the map in a side-scroller and the map opens up more and more as the player gains new items and abilities.

I can imagine a game with a similar dynamic and with a massive underground dungeon to explore, which is pretty much what you're looking at creating, right?

THATS IT! CASTLEVANIA! It fits exactly what I want to make! My idea is like Castlevania with more places to explore and item + weapon leveling and synthesis.