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

Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona's Stunning, Yet Tedious Menus

Persona director Katsura Hashino recently revealed the surprisingly challenging process behind creating the series' iconic menus, renowned for their stylish designs. This insightful look behind the scenes offers a new appreciation for the artistry and effort involved.

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino admitted that while striving for simplicity and usability, the unique, visually stunning designs for each menu in Persona games, including Metaphor: ReFantazio, are far more complex than they appear. He described the process as "really annoying to do," highlighting the significant time investment required.

The development of Persona 5's distinctive angular menus, for example, presented initial readability challenges, necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of form and function.

The visual appeal of these menus is undeniable, contributing significantly to the overall aesthetic of both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio. This meticulously crafted UI has become a defining characteristic, alongside the compelling narratives and characters. However, this visual richness comes at a cost, demanding substantial resources and time. Hashino emphasized this, stating, "It takes a lot of time."

The complexity extends beyond simple design; Hashino explained that "We have separate programs running for each of them as well. Whether it’s the shop menu or the main menu, when you open them up there’s a whole separate program running and a separate design that goes into making it."

This dedication to balancing functionality and aesthetics, a core element of Persona development since Persona 3, reaches new heights in Persona 5 and is further amplified in Metaphor: ReFantazio's high-fantasy setting. The game's painterly UI embodies the same principles on a grander scale. While Hashino finds the process "annoying," the results are undeniably spectacular.

Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11th for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open! [Link to pre-order article here]