Of all the controversy stemming from the original Little Fears, the book’s references to and condemnation of child abuse was the subject most often addressed. While I did my best to approach the topic with tact and sensitivity, I was coming to it as an outsider. I had never suffered abuse, had a stable upbringing in a loving home, and was raised by parents who watched over me and protected me. Less so Vanderlei Caballero, the creative director of the PlayStation Network release Papo & Yo.
Papo & Yo is a bright shining example of bringing the subject of abuse to the fore by masking it in an approachable wrapper, that of an action-adventure video game.
You play as Quico, a little boy we meet as he’s hiding behind a vent from a lumbering hulk initially seen only in shadow. You soon escape from the beast into a land that plays by the rules of imagination. Throughout the game, you will pull staircases out of brick walls via shining chalk outlines and rearrange neighborhoods by moving around cardboard boxes capable of shifting houses. You’ll meet new characters, gain a treasured toy that lets you do even more in the world, and run into the beast we met early on: Monster. We learn that Monster is normally very kind and gentle but it is addicted to these frogs that turn it into a raging beast. Soon you are set upon finding a cure for Monster’s addiction, freeing it and yourself from its affliction.
The developer states plainly that Papo & Yo is an allegory for his own trials enduring his father’s addiction to drugs and alcohol, even dedicating the work to his siblings who endured as well. With that knowledge, the game’s simple premise takes on a much darker tone but also draws you in even further as you root for Quico to succeed and empathize with this struggle to cure Monster of its addiction.
Yes, it’s heady stuff. But the game’s wonderful art style and engaging world make it easy to get into and enjoy on a game level while processing what all this means on an intellectual and emotional level.
While Little Fears shifted from real-world horror with the release of Little Fears Nightmare Edition, child abuse in all its forms has not gone away and conversations about it—to find better ways to prevent it, address it, and help others recover from its effect—need to happen. As long as we are able to help those affected heal their wounds, we stand a better chance, as a people, of surviving it.
Games such as Papo & Yo are designed as a personal catharsis, but others who endured similar can also find release and those of us who never faced abuse are allowed a better glimpse into its effects. Games like this challenge us all, well beyond our ability to solve puzzles, and serve as further proof that turning pain into positivity is a large step in breaking the cycles that bring us all down.
The game came out yesterday on PlayStation Network for $14.99. You can purchase it directly from you PlayStation 3, through Sony’s online store, or buy a download code from select retailers. (PlayStation+ members save 20%.)
You can find plenty of footage and developer diaries on YouTube as well as my favorite video game website, Giant Bomb. Click below for the wonderful trailer that shows even more of the game’s sense of wonder and imagination.
Man! I wish this were available for the PC, I snatch it up in a minute!
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this site daily, this web site is
truly good and the viewers are actually sharing nice thoughts.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too excellent.
I really like what you’ve acquired here,
certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still take care of
to keep it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a terrific site.
We stumbled over here by a different website and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to going
over your web page yet again.
Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i could
assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated
with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I have have in mind
your stuff prior to and you’re simply too fantastic. I really like what you’ve got right here, certainly like
what you’re stating and the way in which in which you
say it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still care
for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you.
This is really a tremendous site.
Hi everyone, it’s my first go to see at
this website, and piece of writing is actually fruitful for me, keep up
posting these types of content.
Right now it sounds like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your
blog?
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing
problems with your blog. It appears as if some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let
me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my web browser
because I’ve had this happen before. Appreciate it
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking
it and checking back regularly!
Thanks for another wonderful post. The place else may just anyone get that type of information in such
a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such info.
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web site, i am browsing this site dailly and obtain good information from here everyday.
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook
group? There’s a lot of people that I think
would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
It will always be interesting to read articles
from other writers and use a little something from their sites.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come
here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Great work!
Hi there to every , for the reason that I am truly keen of reading this webpage’s post to be
updated on a regular basis. It includes pleasant stuff.
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to tell her.
I think this is among the most important information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general
things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing issues with
your site. It seems like some of the written text in your posts are running off the
screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this
is happening to them too? This may be a issue with my browser
because I’ve had this happen previously.
Many thanks
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. But just imagine if you added some great visuals or
videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but
with pics and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the
greatest in its field. Wonderful blog!
Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion concerning this paragraph here at this weblog,
I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
I think that what you typed was very reasonable. But, what about this?
what if you were to create a awesome post title?
I ain’t saying your information is not solid, however suppose you added a title that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean Inspiring Fear: Papo & Yo |
The House of Little Fears is kinda vanilla. You should look at
Yahoo’s front page and note how they write post headlines to grab viewers to open the links.
You might add a video or a related pic or two to grab readers interested about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make
your website a little bit more interesting.
Great items from you, man. I have be aware your stuff previous to and you’re just
extremely great. I really like what you have bought right here,
certainly like what you are saying and the way wherein you assert it.
You make it entertaining and you continue to take
care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to learn much more from you.
That is actually a terrific web site.
I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours lately, but
I by no means found any interesting article like yours.
It’s lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content material as
you probably did, the internet can be much more helpful
than ever before.
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast coming
again to read other news.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like
to know where u got this from. thank you
I am curious to find out what blog system you happen to
be utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded.
Do you have any suggestions?
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled
blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking
more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared
your website in my social networks!
This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more
than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I was recommended this blog by means of my cousin. I am now not sure whether or not this submit
is written by way of him as nobody else understand such designated about my difficulty.
You are wonderful! Thank you!
What i do not understood is in reality how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be now.
You are so intelligent. You realize therefore considerably
in relation to this subject, produced me in my opinion consider it from a lot of varied angles.
Its like men and women are not involved until it’s one
thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding.
Always deal with it up!
excellent points altogether, you just won a logo new reader.
What may you recommend in regards to your publish that you just made some days ago?
Any certain?
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, let alone the
content!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website.
I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from
you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities
has encouraged me to get my own, personal site now 😉
You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be actually one thing that I think
I’d by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely broad for me.
I’m taking a look ahead for your next publish, I will attempt
to get the dangle of it!
Amazing blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any tips? Thanks a lot!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.
I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
This article is really a fastidious one it assists new
the web people, who are wishing for blogging.
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this post. It
was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely helpful information specially the last part :
) I care for such information much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Wow, amazing weblog layout! How long have you ever been running
a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The overall glance
of your site is fantastic, let alone the content material!
Hi there very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful ..
I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I am happy to
find numerous useful info here in the submit, we need work
out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same
comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Kudos!
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with approximately all important infos.
I would like to look extra posts like this .
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article.
Thanks for providing this information.
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just
your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all.
However just imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this website
could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its field.
Fantastic blog!
It’s fantastic that you are getting ideas from
this paragraph as well as from our argument made at this time.