"ReFantazio, Persona Menus: Stylish Yet Annoying to Design"

Katsura Hashino, the director behind Metaphor: ReFantazio and the acclaimed Persona series, has revealed the challenges of crafting the visually stunning menus that have become a signature of these games. Dive into the details of what Hashino shared about the painstaking process behind these iconic interfaces.

Persona Director Admits Menus Are ‘Annoying to Do'

Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio Menus Take 'a Lot of Time' to Make, Hashino Said

In a candid interview with The Verge, Katsura Hashino, the visionary behind the Persona series, discussed the complexities of designing the series' renowned menus. While fans celebrate the sleek and stylish user interfaces (UI) of Persona games, Hashino confessed that the creation process is far more "annoying" than it appears.

Hashino explained, "In general, the way most developers make UI is very simple. That’s what we try to do as well—we aim for simplicity, practicality, and usability. However, our unique approach involves crafting distinct designs for each menu, which is actually quite challenging."

This meticulous process often extends development timelines significantly. Hashino reminisced about the early stages of Persona 5's development, where the initial versions of the game's iconic, angular menus were "impossible to read," necessitating multiple revisions to achieve the perfect blend of style and functionality.

The visual appeal of these menus has not gone unnoticed by the gaming community. Both Persona 5 and the upcoming Metaphor: ReFantazio are celebrated for their distinctive UI designs that embody the personality of the games. For many players, these elaborate interfaces are as integral to the experience as the games' compelling stories and characters. Yet, this visual flair comes at a significant cost in terms of development time and resources. "It takes a lot of time," Hashino admitted.

The effort to maintain the high aesthetic standards of the Persona series is evident in every aspect of the UI, from the in-game shop to the party menu. Each element is meticulously designed to enhance the player's experience, though the behind-the-scenes work to ensure everything functions seamlessly is extensive.

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

The challenge of balancing aesthetics with functionality in UI design has been a hallmark of Persona development since Persona 3, reaching new heights with Persona 5. Hashino's latest endeavor, Metaphor: ReFantazio, continues to push these boundaries. Set in a high-fantasy world, the game's painterly UI builds on the established principles but on a grander scale. While Hashino finds the process "annoying," the result is undeniably spectacular for fans.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is slated for release on October 11 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are currently available! For more information on the game's release date and pre-order options, be sure to check out our detailed article below!