Final Fantasy IX is a masterpiece many were excited to play again when it was re-released on Steam in 2016. This version included improved character models, but fans quickly noted that the high-quality models clashed with the low-resolution backgrounds. In 2018, a group of fans took it upon themselves to remaster the pre-rendered backgrounds, calling their work the Moguri Mod. After three years without updates, August 2024 has seen the release of Moguri Mod 9.0, adding incredible features to their previous work.
Moguri Mod’s Beautiful Artwork
Like the other Final Fantasy games released on the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy IX used pre-rendered backgrounds for most of its environments, rather than using full 3D models. This meant that every screen in the game would need to be redrawn for a proper HD release- A gargantuan task that publisher Square-Enix was unwilling to tackle. This was the primary reason for Moguri Mod‘s existence: To upscale the backgrounds and hand-craft them to give us a full remaster of the game. With 9.0’s release, the backgrounds have been improved to a far greater extent.
It is not only the pre-rendered overworld backgrounds that are improved in the new release. The fully modeled backgrounds that appear during turn-based battles have also seen a major glow-up. This is in addition to new options for the game’s overall look, including a “toon filter” that makes the game’s already cartoony art style look more like hand-drawn animation, with outlines around character models.
Other Improvements to Final Fantasy IX
Graphics are not the only thing that Moguri Mod improves on. One major change is that the game is now playable at a full 60 frames per second while running in widescreen in most places. Several optional quality-of-life changes have been made, and some cheats allow those who only want to enjoy the story to breeze through the gameplay. Returning from previous releases is an option for some of the songs to be replaced with remixed orchestral tracks, though those playing for the first time will likely prefer the original music as the new tracks may feel out of place.
The biggest gameplay change is to one of the game’s most infamous sidequests. Final Fantasy IX’s Tetra Master card game is unpopular among fans for its faults. Tetra Master is poorly explained within the game, requiring external resources for the player to comprehend its basic and complicated mechanics. Even when the player fully understands the game’s complex systems, it is still difficult to guarantee a win as the card game is too reliant on rng. Moguri Mod 9.0 adds an option to replace Tetra Master with the much more popular card game from Final Fantasy VIII, Triple Triad. What was once a stain on an otherwise beloved game can now be a benefit.
Final Fantasy IX’s Legacy Going Forward
Few would deny that the Moguri Mod is the best way to play Final Fantasy IX, with its large number of options to customize the game as seen fit and the high-resolution artwork making the game a sight to behold. Rumors of an official Final Fantasy IX remake have been circulating, but it is likely to follow in the footsteps of Final Fantasy VII Remake and be fairly different from the original game. Ideally, Moguri Mod will exist alongside an official remake, allowing the original game to flourish in its best state, and for the official remake to have greater creative freedom. If nothing else, Final Fantasy IX fans are sure to be happy.
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