Sleek Menus From ReFantazio, Persona Engage Diners But Pose Usability Woes

Persona Director Reveals the Surprisingly Difficult Truth Behind the Series' Stunning Menus

The stylish menus in the Persona series, and particularly in the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio, are a source of constant admiration among fans. However, Persona director Katsura Hashino recently revealed the less glamorous side of this visual achievement in an interview with The Verge. He confessed that crafting these aesthetically pleasing interfaces is surprisingly "annoying" and time-consuming.

Hashino explained that while most developers opt for simple, functional UI design, the Persona team strives for both functionality and visual appeal. This dedication to unique, bespoke designs for each menu leads to significant development challenges. He cited the development of Persona 5's iconic menus as an example, noting that early iterations were practically illegible, requiring extensive revisions to achieve the final balance of style and usability.

The creation of these visually striking menus is a far more involved process than it appears. Hashino emphasized that each menu, from the in-game shop to the main menu, runs as a separate program, demanding individual design and implementation. This meticulous approach, while resulting in a cohesive and visually stunning experience, significantly increases development time and complexity. He candidly admitted that the process "takes a lot of time."

This dedication to visual detail has been a hallmark of the Persona series since Persona 3, reaching a new zenith in Persona 5. Metaphor: ReFantazio, with its high-fantasy setting and painterly UI, takes this commitment to a grander scale. While the director finds the process frustrating, the resulting visual spectacle is undeniable, contributing significantly to the games' overall appeal.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is scheduled for release on October 11th for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are currently open.