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 impressive menus. While players admire the stylish UI, Hashino confessed the effort involved is significantly more demanding than it appears.

The Persona Menu Conundrum

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the typical streamlined UI development approach, the Persona series opts for unique, bespoke designs for each menu. This commitment to both functionality and aesthetic beauty, while resulting in the series' signature look, proves incredibly time-consuming and, in Hashino's words, "annoying."

He cited the development of Persona 5's angular menus as an example. Early iterations proved difficult to read, requiring extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of style and usability. This meticulous process extends beyond simple design; Hashino confirmed that each menu utilizes a separate program, further increasing the complexity.

A Labor of Love (and Frustration)

The distinctive visual style of Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio's menus is undeniable. This painstaking attention to detail, from in-game shops to party menus, has become a defining feature of the games, alongside their compelling narratives and characters. However, this visual identity demands significant development time and resources.

The High Cost of Style

Hashino's frustration is understandable. The Persona games are renowned for their stylish aesthetics, and the menus significantly contribute to each game's unique atmosphere. The level of detail applied to every UI element is extensive, demanding considerable effort to ensure a seamless player experience.

This dedication to balancing functionality and aesthetics has been a hallmark of Persona development since Persona 3, reaching new heights in Persona 5 and further amplified in Metaphor: ReFantazio's high-fantasy setting. While the process is undeniably challenging, the results are undeniably spectacular.

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