ReFantazio's and Persona's Menus Are Insanely Stylish. But Also \"Annoying to Do\"

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 sleek UI, Hashino confessed the creation process is far more laborious than it appears.

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the typically straightforward UI development approach of most developers, the Persona team crafts unique designs for every single menu. This dedication to both functionality and aesthetic excellence, while resulting in the beautiful interfaces fans adore, is, in Hashino's words, "really annoying to do."

The time commitment is substantial. Hashino recalled the initial iterations of Persona 5's distinctive menus, initially deemed "impossible to read," requiring extensive revisions to achieve the perfect blend of style and usability.

The visually striking menus of Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio are undeniably a key element of the games' overall appeal, contributing significantly to their unique atmosphere. However, this distinctive visual identity demands considerable resources and development time. Hashino emphasized the significant time investment, stating, "It takes a lot of time."

The complexity extends beyond design. Hashino revealed that each menu utilizes a separate program, further highlighting the extensive effort involved in creating the seamless user experience. From the in-game shop to the main menu, each element is meticulously crafted, demanding significant resources and attention to detail.

This meticulous approach to UI design, a hallmark of the Persona series since Persona 3, has reached new heights in Persona 5 and continues in Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game's high-fantasy setting further elevates the visual complexity, showcasing the team's dedication to a cohesive and visually stunning experience. While the process may be "annoying" for the developers, the result is undeniably spectacular for players.

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