Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona's Stunning, Yet Tedious Menus
Persona director Katsura Hashino recently revealed the surprisingly laborious process behind the series' iconic, visually striking menus. While players admire their sleek style, Hashino confessed the creation is far more challenging than it appears.
The High Cost of Beauty: A Developer's Perspective
In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that while most developers opt for simple, functional UI design, the Persona series prioritizes both functionality and unique, beautiful aesthetics for every single menu. This dedication to detail, however, comes at a cost. "This is actually really annoying to do," Hashino admitted.
Early development of Persona 5's distinctive menus, for example, proved particularly difficult. Initial iterations were deemed "impossible to read," necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of style and usability. This meticulous process significantly extends development time.
The visually arresting menus of Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio have become synonymous with the series' identity, appreciated by fans as much as the compelling narratives and characters. But this visual appeal requires substantial resources. "It takes a lot of time," Hashino confirmed.
The complexity extends beyond mere design. Hashino revealed that separate programs run for each menu, from the in-game shop to the main menu, each demanding its own unique design and development process.
This pursuit of visual excellence, a hallmark of the series since Persona 3, has reached new heights in Persona 5 and continues in Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game's high-fantasy setting demands an equally grand and painterly UI, amplifying the design challenges. While Hashino finds the process "annoying," the result is undeniably spectacular.
Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11th on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open! [Link to pre-order information would go here].
