Insanely Stylish Menus Unveiled at ReFantazio & Persona

ReFantazio and Persona's Stunning, Yet Tedious, Menus

Persona series director, Katsura Hashino, recently revealed the surprisingly arduous process behind creating the series' iconic and visually striking menus. While players praise their elegant design, Hashino confessed to The Verge that the development is far more challenging than it appears.

Hashino explained that unlike the streamlined UI approaches common in game development, the Persona series prioritizes unique, bespoke designs for each menu. This dedication to both functionality and aesthetic excellence, while resulting in the series' signature style, significantly increases development time and complexity. He cited Persona 5's initial menu iterations as an example, initially deemed "impossible to read" due to their angular design, necessitating extensive revisions.

The impact of this meticulous approach is undeniable. Both Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio showcase a distinct visual identity that's become synonymous with the games' immersive narratives and compelling characters. However, this visual richness comes at a cost—substantial time investment and resources. Hashino emphasized the significant time commitment, noting that each menu essentially runs as a separate program, demanding individual design and development.

This pursuit of visual harmony and functionality, a hallmark of the series since Persona 3, has culminated in the sophisticated menus of Persona 5 and is further amplified in the high-fantasy setting of Metaphor: ReFantazio. While Hashino acknowledges the development challenges, the resulting visual spectacle is undeniable, showcasing a dedication to artistic excellence that resonates deeply with fans.

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