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 praise their stylish design, 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 many games which utilize simpler, more practical UI design, the Persona series employs unique, custom-designed menus for every screen. This dedication to visual detail, while resulting in the series' signature aesthetic, presents significant development hurdles. He stated that this meticulous approach is "really annoying to do," consuming considerable development time. The initial menus for Persona 5, for instance, required extensive revisions to achieve both visual appeal and user-friendliness.

A Labor of Love (and Frustration)

The impact of these painstakingly crafted menus is undeniable. Both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio showcase visually distinct UIs that are integral to each game's identity. This commitment to visual consistency extends to every element, from the in-game shop to the party menu, demanding substantial resources and time. Hashino highlighted the complexity by explaining that each menu essentially runs as a separate program, requiring individual design and implementation.

A Legacy of Stylish UI Design

This pursuit of visual excellence, a balancing act between functionality and aesthetics, has been a defining characteristic of the Persona series since Persona 3, culminating in the highly polished UI of Persona 5. Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino's latest project, further elevates this design philosophy, adapting the style to a high-fantasy setting. While the process may be "annoying," the stunning result is undeniably appreciated by fans.

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