1440x1080 (4:3) 60fps format. A high definition cinematic cut of the 2000 Playstation game from Squaresoft, helmed by Yasumi Matsuno. Boss and enemy scenes included, no combat/menu/exploring gameplay. Editor's notes below.
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Playing through this again last year, switching between so many emulator options/shader mixes left me wanting a higher grade movie edit of this beloved classic. Steered away from native scaling/resolution "as it was meant to be seen" (often preferred slightly upscaled w/mild crt like effects).
Vagrant Story was recognized for outstanding cinematic cutscenes and gorgeous art design (not to mention extensive action-rpg systems and experimentation), with a dev team that observed some of Metal Gear Solid's achievements...and worked to surpass them. Crafting a unique fantasy adventure via late psx era technical wizardry. Plenty of praise has been sung to its legendary-cult status, especially this year turning 20, so I'll spare you my own.
With that in mind also addressing certain aesthete preferences: I just really wanted to see the game's assets given a new frame of visual stability and detail. Much of the mix, especially dithering and leftover vertical lines can give everything a canvas-like feel, that while gritty at times also lends a whole new level of painterly texture to their work.
Plenty of audio eq and small timing fixes done, alongside uh, too much color tweaking only to circle back *close* to the natural. Very few liberties taken, possibly over-treated text speed as if someone was reading lines aloud. Ideally there'd be bits of Ashley in battle or traversing areas, it's just a difficult thing to mesh. Also dat op weaponry.
Please enjoy. I hope this has someone rediscovering or newly taken in by the story of the wanderer, the vagrant...(and soundtrack!)
