Persona's Stunning Menus: A Developer's Dilemma

Katsura Hashino, the acclaimed director of the Persona series, recently revealed the surprisingly challenging process behind creating the series' iconic menus. While players praise their stylish and sleek design, Hashino admitted the creation process is far more laborious than it appears.

In an interview with The Verge, Hashino explained that unlike the simpler UI approaches of many developers, the Persona series prioritizes unique, meticulously crafted designs for every single menu. This dedication to both functionality and aesthetic beauty, while resulting in the series' signature look, is, in Hashino's words, "really annoying to do."

The development of Persona 5's distinctive menus serves as a prime example. Early versions proved difficult to read, necessitating extensive revisions to achieve the perfect balance of form and function. This meticulous attention to detail significantly extends development time.

The impact of these visually striking menus is undeniable. Both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio stand out for their unique visual identity, a key element of their overall appeal alongside compelling narratives and characters. However, this visual richness comes at a considerable cost in development resources and time. Hashino emphasized the significant time investment, stating, "It takes a lot of time."

The complexity extends beyond mere design. Hashino revealed that each menu utilizes a separate program, further highlighting the extensive effort involved. From the in-game shop to the main menu, each interface demands individual design and programming.

This pursuit of visual excellence, a hallmark of the Persona series since Persona 3, has reached new heights in Persona 5 and continues in Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game's high-fantasy setting necessitates an even more elaborate, painterly UI. While the process is undeniably challenging for the developers, the result is undeniably spectacular for players.

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