Koji Ise, the principal UI designer behind the acclaimed 2024 JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, became part of Atlus in 2018. He transitioned from a background in website design within the advertising sector, as he shared during a talk at GDC 2025. “Metaphor was actually the first game that I designed for,” he remarked (via interpreter). “As the lead UI designer for Metaphor, I primarily focused on the UI elements as well as the game title logo.”
Ise entered the industry and quickly produced remarkable UI elements for JRPGs, drawing inspiration from franchises like Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, yet striving to carve out a unique identity for his work. The journey, however, was fraught with challenges. Several concepts were discarded, and Ise faced moments of uncertainty during the game’s development.
As the team embarked on creating Metaphor, their mission was to craft a novel art style, take the lead on the game’s visual direction, and establish something distinct for this project, Ise stated at GDC. Various drafts and prototypes emerged, reflecting influences from NES-era aesthetics, enchanting parchment designs, and emotional sharpness; however, none made a lasting impression. Some were too generic, while others were overly somber or intricate. A vital piece felt absent. The feedback was direct and unwavering, leading Ise to express, “after these comments, I lost my way, unsure of what direction to take next.”
“When we pitched the vibrant design, I became increasingly aware of our predecessor, the established Persona series,” he explained. “I began to consider that we might require a similarly colorful, stylized, and accessible design for the game as well.” However, this design approach ended up “not feeling unique enough to stand on its own” and lacked the essence that defined Persona.
Ise expressed gratitude towards director Katsura Hashino for his encouraging words: “take a moment and stop listening to other people’s opinions so much,” urging him to concentrate on his vision. “Those words really saved me,” Ise reflected.
Freed from the constraints of Persona or overly vibrant aesthetics, Ise returned to the creative process to identify a new “guiding star” for the project. The answer? A “hyper stylish” interpretation of fantasy RPGs, designed through Atlus’ unique perspective “to create an art style that no one could keep their eyes off of.”
Supporting this “hyper stylish” objective were four new design pillars. The UI for Metaphor needed to be cool, immersive, intriguing, and buzzworthy. “That’s when we decided to approach the UI design not as a detached feature separate from the game’s world, but as an integral element connecting players to the game’s universe,” Ise clarified.
This led to the vibrant interface that Metaphor enthusiasts adore today – an eye-catching, opulent, yet practical array of menus that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the industry’s finest, including Persona 5 Royal. While many discuss how effective UI is often subtle and unobtrusive, Metaphor serves as an example that bold, expressive UI can enhance gameplay and enrich the overall experience.
In conclusion, Ise encouraged aspiring UI designers to pursue themes and ideas intrinsic to their game, weaving in symbolic expressions that can captivate and surprise players (for instance, Metaphor’s protagonist lies down in the main menu) while crafting unforgettable designs that resonate on an emotional level.
How did Persona 5, Persona 3, and now Metaphor: ReFantazio create some of the most compelling UI in JRPG history? Its seasoned Atlus director emphasizes “unity” and support among development teams.