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.
Solasta has the near perfect UI for a DnD based game where are many action types, spells, character attributes that effect the game. It is easy to use and easy to understand. It allows you to play the game rather than searching for things about mechanics on internet.
Its visual style also fits perfectly with the theme of a table top game when you play it with pen and paper. It is devoid of unnecessary visual pollution.
