Video game menus are often overlooked, but not in Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest role-playing game from Atlus. Lead interface designer Koji Ise has crafted an elaborate menu system that not only complements the game's fantasy setting but also heightens player emotions, making it an integral part of the gaming experience.

Ise's design philosophy is centered around creating an emotional connection between the player and the game. "As long as we're able to identify 'at this point the player should be feeling this,' we're able to match our UI and animations to act as emotional accelerators," he explained. This approach is particularly crucial in Metaphor, a turn-based RPG where menus are not just a means to access gameplay features but are, in fact, the action itself.

Metaphor is a spiritual successor to the Persona series, and Ise drew inspiration from his previous experience in website design, utilizing Flash to create interactive animations. He wanted to bring a sense of fantasy to the menu design, experimenting with parchment paper and anxiety-inspired concepts before settling on a more functional approach that incorporated elements from Persona.

The biggest challenge Ise faced was injecting emotions into the menu design. For instance, during intense combat sequences, he aimed to amplify the sense of speed and aggression, making the player feel exhilarated and invested in the battle. This required close collaboration with other teams at Atlus to ensure the UI accurately reflected the game's tone and atmosphere.

Balancing aesthetics with practicality was another significant hurdle. Ise had to strike a delicate balance between his vision for the visual style and the need for a functional UI. There were times when the design seemed too focused on aesthetics, and feedback from the team suggested it was too elaborate or difficult to understand. However, Ise was determined to create a menu system that would leave a lasting impression on players.

The effort and dedication required to craft such an innovative menu system cannot be overstated. As Metaphor and Persona director Katsura Hashino noted, building these menus is "actually really annoying to do" due to the time and effort involved. Ise concurred, saying it was "a lot of trouble," but the end result was well worth it – a menu system that has become the face of the title, something that players will remember long after they finish the game.

Metaphor: ReFantazio's menu design is a testament to the power of innovative UI in enhancing the gaming experience. By blurring the lines between menu and gameplay, Atlus has created a truly immersive and engaging RPG that sets a new standard for the industry.