Rewriting Menus: A Perfect Balance of Style and Usability

Creating the stunning menus in Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio is a surprisingly arduous task, according to director Katsura Hashino. While players praise the games' stylish and visually impressive user interfaces, Hashino reveals the significant development challenges involved.

In a recent interview with The Verge, Hashino admitted the process is "really annoying to do." He explained that while most developers opt for simpler, functional UI designs, the Persona series prioritizes both beauty and functionality, resulting in unique designs for every single menu. This meticulous approach requires considerable time and resources. He cited the development of Persona 5's iconic menus as an example, noting that early iterations were difficult to read, necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of aesthetics and usability.

The images below showcase the intricate detail and visual flair of the menus in both games:

Hashino emphasized the extensive effort involved, stating that "It takes a lot of time," and that each menu requires its own separate program and design. This dedication to detail extends from the in-game shop to the main menu, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience. While the result is undeniably impressive, the behind-the-scenes development process presents a significant challenge. This commitment to visual excellence, initially established in Persona 3, has culminated in the stunning UI of Persona 5 and the even more ambitious designs in Metaphor: ReFantazio, scheduled for release on October 11th for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open.