I know a lot of people cite Solasta as being a good example of a UI but I disagree. It's well organized and intuitive, but the design isn't the best.
To find a good UI, the ideal is to see different examples:
Solata:
- Everything is too big. The interface takes up a very large part of the screen and the buttons are huge.
- Just like in BG3, Solasta repeats the character's portrait and hit points (why?).
- Not all buttons need to be named if the icons are self-explanatory.
- The graphic design does not convey the idea of fantasy adventure, it is too modern. In this case, BG3, Pathfinder, PoE, or even Tyranny are better.
Pillars of Eternity Deadfire:
- The spells/powers/abilities you use the most are highlighted in a separated part of the bar (great!).
- Just like in Pathfinder, there is an icon that opens a window to show the items in your backpack (so your bar doesn't fill up with every scroll and arrow you pick up).
- There are different options, in the settings, for the interface layout (choose what works best for you).
- The graphic design fits the fantasy theme of the game.
- A negative point is that the general buttons take up too much space. This, in BG3, is better.
Divinity Original Sin 2:
- The bar occupying the entire bottom of the screen is much less intrusive (same as the first UI made for BG3 before its released).
Pathfinder (both)
- The design isn't the best, and it's quite intrusive, but one thing stands out: the sidebar, which you can close to free up screen space.
