How the Persona UX/UI Helps with World Building
Weapon wheels. Dense menus. Charts and graphs and stats like Excel spreadsheets that take you 3-5 business days to fully understand. RPGs are notorious for their love affair with complicated menus and inventory systems. Some may argue that’s part of their charm – the steep learning curve that comes with figuring out how to buff your character just right, and navigating these menus is a core part of developing that understanding.
But some games take those same complex systems and turn them into something more. Something that truly adds layers to the game’s world. Like the Persona series.
Persona 3: Reload UI/UX Experience Is Like None Other
Take Persona 3: Reload, for example. Sure, you’re still dealing with a bunch of stats and skills. But it’s not just about min-maxing your way through fights. The way you manage your inventory and character ties directly into the game’s unique world and story. Your daily decisions, whether it be equipping a new item at the Police Station or getting a text from one of your classmates, directly reflect your character’s relationships, personal growth, and even their day-to-day schedule.
This approach to menu design does more than just make the game look good – it pulls you deeper into your character’s world. Every time you open a menu, you’re not taken out of the experience. You’re given a reminder of the game’s unique atmosphere. It’s a testament to how integrating the most utilitarian aspects of a game into its overall design can enhance the player’s immersion.
Obtaining this level of immersion, I believe, comes from a few different factors. First and arguably the most obvious is the dedication to a specific theme. While each Persona game does feel similar to each other, they each have their own unique identity and vibe. This is reflected in everything from the overarching narrative down to the menu design. Persona 5’s menus burst with a rebellious, jazzy flair that mirrors the game’s central theme of rebellion against societal norms. The stark reds and blacks, the dynamic, comic book-style transitions. Every element is carefully chosen to reinforce the game’s message and mood. This thematic consistency makes even the often-repetitive task of turn-based combat more engaging. More specifically encourages you to think critically about each of your choices. While simultaneously creating an engaging extension of the game’s world.
The Importance of Music
Next up, music. In the Persona games, the soundtrack acts as a core component of the experience. The catchy tunes accompanying each step of your journey feel as meticulously crafted as the story or characters themselves. These tracks help set the tone, evoke emotions, and even influence the pace at which players navigate the game’s systems. The music in Persona 3: Reload feels spicy, vibrant, full of jazzy horns and drums. Something you intuitively bob your head to as you return to your dorm after a long day.
The Velvet Room stands out in this area. Its haunting theme transcends multiple Persona games, serving as a consistent reminder of the series’ interconnectedness. This particular score evokes feelings of mystery and anticipation, which the gothic UI uniquely builds upon. Each iteration of the Velvet Room carries its own nuances, yet all share a common thread of otherworldly allure that draws players deeper into the game.
Bringing it All Together
Lastly, I think good UX/UI design encourages immersion while also enabling autonomy. Players are not just passively receiving the story – they’re actively shaping their journey through the choices they make in these menus. Whether it’s deciding which social link to pursue, which persona to fuse, or how to spend your after-school hours, each decision impacts your experience and narrative trajectory.
The unique blend of theme, music, and player autonomy while interacting with the game’s UI transforms a utilitarian menu screen into a vibrant extension of the game’s world. The Persona series is a shining example of how even the most mundane aspects of game design can be woven into the fabric of story-telling and world-building, elevating the entire experience. The Persona games stand as a beacon for game devs worldwide. Proving that, with the right creative and technical touches, even the most routine elements can be transformed into new opportunities for deeper player engagement.
Author: Allison Wheeler
