The Legacy of Final Fantasy 9 on PlayStation 1
Final Fantasy 9, a masterpiece at the tail end of the PlayStation 1’s life cycle, is renowned for its outstanding 2D environmental art. However, the visual fidelity was limited by the technology of the time, rendering these intricate backgrounds at a mere 240p. Despite these limitations, the game’s artistic brilliance shone through and garnered a fanbase that cherishes it to this day.
The Advent of Moguri Mod: Elevating Visuals
Square Enix’s official PC port initially struggled to upscale the game’s detailed backgrounds to modern resolutions, leaving many to yearn for a better visual upgrade. Enter the Moguri Mod, a project that utilized AI upscaling to significantly enhance the game’s visuals. This mod did a remarkable job of preserving the intricate art while enhancing the resolution to contemporary standards.
Moguri 9 Update: A Comprehensive Overhaul
Three years after the seemingly final version, Moguri Mod received a complete overhaul, including the re-rendering of every background with a new learning model. The updated mod offers:
- Backgrounds re-rendered using stable diffusion
- Battle backgrounds fully reworked
- Improved light effects and animated textures
- Upscaled textures on monsters and NPCs
- Visual bug fixes in battles and backgrounds
This overhaul offers striking visual improvements, as seen in comparison shots between the latest Moguri update and the unmodified PC port.
Experimental Features and Enhanced Compatibility
The latest Moguri Mod introduces experimental features such as new ‘toon’ and ‘realism’ shaders, providing dramatic visual changes without altering the original character models. Furthermore, the mod adds various features via the Memoria modding platform:
- High frame rate options (up to 120 fps)
- 16:10 and ultrawide display support
- Custom fonts and built-in anti-aliasing
Despite the limitations of the original 4:3 aspect ratio, the mod adapts remarkably well to widescreen displays by utilizing the extended environments.
Conclusion
The Moguri Mod continues to breathe new life into Final Fantasy 9, preserving its artistic heritage while elevating its visuals. Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer, this mod offers an enhanced experience that stays true to the original’s charm and beauty.
