Summary
Taking the fan-favoritePersona 3and remaking it using the same visual style and aesthetics of the incrediblePersona 5was practically a no-brainer, given how much the latest game in the series has remained popular among fans and spawned several successful spin-off titles.Persona 3 Reloadnow represents the ideal template for other remakes in the series, and it would be surprising for Atlus to not give the same treatment toPersona 4despite how much the original continues to hold up. InPersona 3 Reload, Atlus has also once again proven to be one of the most talented studios when it comes to UI and menu design.
UI, or user interface, is essentially the framework through which users interact with computers and digital media. In terms of how UI design is implemented in games, it’s most commonly understood as the means that the player uses to accomplish tasks within the game, whether that be through menus or within the game’s world itself using aheads-up display (HUD)and maps or other navigational tools. Surprisingly, UI and menu design are factors that often get overlooked when discussing RPGs, andPersona 3 Reloadestablishes why they are so important to a game’s overall enjoyment level.
Considering how much time players spend within menus, parsing through equipment loadouts and stat screens, it’s surprising that more RPGs don’t pay closer attention to the readability and artistic direction of their UI and menu design.Persona 5’s release in 2017marked the beginning of a new era for JRPGs while also proving that the staples of the genre are still just as enjoyable now as they were in their early years more than three decades ago.Persona 5’s incredible art direction was a key part of this bold new path. Accordingly, it’s nearly impossible to talk about the stunning visual aesthetic ofPersona 5without also mentioning its menus and UI.
Persona 3 Reloadliberally borrows the general artistic structures ofPersona 5while retrofitting them to the setting, characters, and original color palette ofP3. As a result, the act of entering menus is a visually pleasing experience and stands as some of the best and most striking menu design of any game in years. Beyond their aesthetically pleasing appearance,Persona 3 Reload’s menusalso take things a step further with the audio feedback they use to confirm selecting or canceling menu commands.
Atlus is Continuing to Push UI Design with Metaphor: ReFantazio
The audio and visual cues provided by bothPersona 5andPersona 3 Reload’s UI and menu design combine to make the commonly overlooked act of parsing through menus in an RPG become something just as visually striking and appealing as the games that they feature in. Even though it’s not part of thePersonaseries, Atlus seems to be continuing to push the envelope in this regard with the next game arriving from the publisher and developer in 2024 in thebrand-new IPMetaphor: ReFantazio.There’s not much info on this new title available outside the trailers shown so far, but the glimpses provided seem to indicate that this project from Atlus' Studio Zero division shares more than a few characteristics with P-Studio’s work on thePersonafranchise.
UI and menu designin games are crucially important yet so often overlooked, which is a shame considering how the disparate elements of each combine to help make the act of accomplishing things within a game less frustrating. With their distinctive visual appearance, bold colors and striking design, and helpful audio feedback to indicate successful actions,Persona 3 Reload’s menus are an example of how developers can put effort into crafting a UI design framework that delivers both utility and artistry.
Persona 3 Reload
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI. Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover. Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters. Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.
