ReFantazio & Persona: Menus Stun, Frustrate UX

ReFantazio and Persona's Stunning, Yet Tedious, Menus

Persona series director, Katsura Hashino, recently revealed the surprisingly challenging process behind creating the series' iconic and visually striking menus. While players admire the sleek UI, Hashino confessed the design process is far more laborious than it appears.

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the simpler UI approaches common in game development, the Persona series opts for unique, bespoke designs for each menu. This commitment to both functionality and aesthetic excellence, while resulting in the beautiful interfaces fans adore, proves incredibly time-consuming and, in Hashino's words, "annoying."

The development of Persona 5's distinctive menus serves as a prime example. Initial iterations proved difficult to navigate, requiring extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of form and function.

The impact of these meticulously crafted menus is undeniable. Both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio leverage their visual design as a key element of their identity, enhancing the overall player experience. However, this high level of polish demands significant development resources and time. Hashino emphasized the considerable time investment, stating that "It takes a lot of time."

The dedication extends beyond simple design. Hashino revealed that each menu operates as a separate program, requiring individual design and implementation. This level of detail, from the in-game shop to the party menu, contributes to the cohesive and immersive feel of the games.

This pursuit of visual excellence, a hallmark since Persona 3, has culminated in the refined aesthetic of Persona 5 and further amplified in Metaphor: ReFantazio's high-fantasy setting. While the process is admittedly challenging for the developers, the stunning results are a testament to their dedication and a significant part of the Persona experience.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11th on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open.