I have had parties were the lowest level was 88th. Again, level 30 is not high level. Its right in the middle, at best the beginning of high level.
Perhaps you missed all the middle earth books with the level 80+ NPC's or the SW books with simular NPC's? I had players that wanted to hang with the tough guys and fight the super baddies. Only two parties ever got that tough admittedly.
level 80, 160 ranks, 125 (+35 with catagory) bonus in RMFRP, 145 bonus is RM2. The big change comes in level bonuses. Max +20 for RMFRP, unlimited in RM2 (when played as most people actually played the game). So add +120 more. Without stats, RMFRP skill at level 80, 180. In RM2, 265. Hardly noticable, right?
Even if you compare at level 20, RMFRP fighter, 120 skill (40 ranks at 65, cat bonus at 35, +20 prof bonus) were as RM2 has 145. Again no stat bonuses. Now minus 50 and tell me who is more liklely to succeed? It is not bias, it's math. I PLAYED RM2 FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND LOVED IT. Please don't call me biased. Angry over ICE's direction? Yep. Biased over the RM? No. RM is the best rpg, period, in all its versions.