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 striking menus. While players praise their stylish design, Hashino confessed the effort involved is far from simple.

The Persona Menu Conundrum

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the typical streamlined approach to UI development, the Persona and ReFantazio menus demand unique, bespoke designs for each individual menu. This meticulous process, while resulting in both functional and aesthetically pleasing interfaces, is, in Hashino's words, "really annoying to do."

The Time Investment

The development time required for these intricate menus significantly exceeds initial projections. Hashino recalled the challenges faced during Persona 5's development, where early iterations of the angular menus proved difficult to read, necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of form and function.

A Hallmark of the Series

Despite the considerable development hurdles, the visually distinct menus have become a defining characteristic of the Persona series, adding to the overall immersive experience alongside the compelling narratives and characters. However, this visual identity comes at a cost, demanding significant resources and time from Hashino's team.

The Technical Challenges

The complexity extends beyond mere aesthetics. Hashino highlighted that each menu, from the in-game shop to the main menu, runs on a separate program, requiring individual design and development. This layered approach contributes to the seamless player experience but significantly increases the workload.

A Legacy of Design

This pursuit of balancing functionality and aesthetics has been a defining aspect of Persona development since Persona 3, culminating in the highly polished menus of Persona 5. Metaphor: ReFantazio, Hashino's latest project, further elevates this commitment to visual design, adapting the approach to a grander, high-fantasy setting.

While the process may be "annoying," the results are undeniably impressive, showcasing a dedication to visual detail that enhances the overall player experience.

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