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 design process is far more laborious than it appears.
In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the typical streamlined UI development approach, Persona menus require unique designs for each individual menu. This meticulous attention to detail, while resulting in both functionality and aesthetic excellence, is, in Hashino's words, "really annoying to do."
The time investment is substantial. Hashino recounted the difficulties faced during Persona 5's development, where initial menu designs proved illegible, necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of style and usability.
The impact of these visually striking menus is undeniable. Both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio leverage their unique UI as a key element of their overall identity, complementing the narrative and characters. However, this visual richness comes at a considerable cost, demanding significant development resources. Hashino emphasized the extensive time commitment, stating that "It takes a lot of time."
The complexity extends beyond simple design. Hashino revealed that each menu operates as a separate program, with its own dedicated design and execution, further highlighting the immense effort involved in creating this seamless player experience.
This pursuit of visual excellence, a hallmark since Persona 3, has culminated in the refined UI of Persona 5 and reached new heights in Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game's high-fantasy setting necessitates an even more elaborate UI, amplifying the design challenges. While the process is undeniably "annoying" for the developers, the result is undoubtedly spectacular for players.
Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11th on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open.
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