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.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I’ll certainly return.
Howdy! This post could not be written much better! Reading
through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll forward
this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read.
Many thanks for sharing!
At this moment I am going away to do my breakfast,
afterward having my breakfast coming yet again to read other news.
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just
shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the easiest thing
to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some
overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, excellent blog!
Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if
you be acquainted with then you can write or
else it is difficult to write.
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to
and you’re just extremely wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here,
really 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’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific site.
It’s hard to come by educated people on this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
I am sure this post has touched all the internet users, its really really nice paragraph
on building up new web site.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website thus
i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of
your ideas!!
I seriously love your website.. Pleasant
colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my very own blog
and would love to find out where you got this from or
exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!
In terms of income, New Jersey onn the interdnet casainos don’t come significantly biggher than the Golden Nugget.
Feel free to surf to my web blog … 우리카지노계열
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about asd forum lendir.
Regards
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless,
you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the
same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
My partner and I stumbled over here different website and
thought I should check things out. I like what I
see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking at your web
page yet again.
I’m not positive where you are getting your information, however great topic.
I must spend a while learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for excellent info I was in search of this info for my mission.
Hi, i think that i noticed you visited my web site thus
i came to return the favor?.I am trying to find issues to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to make use of a
few of your concepts!!
Article writing is also a fun, if you know afterward you can write otherwise it is complicated to write.
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for
this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and
I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could
point me in the direction of a good platform.
I seriously love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own site and want to know where
you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thanks!
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something relating
to this.
I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also visit this blog on regular basis
to get updated from hottest gossip.
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems with your site.
It looks like some of the written text in your posts are running
off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me
know if this is happening to them too? This may be a problem with
my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Kudos
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of
clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works
guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming again to read further
news.
Hey excellent blog! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work?
I’ve no understanding of computer programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon.
Anyhow, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I understand this is off subject but I simply had to ask.
Many thanks!
I like the valuable info you supply in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here regularly.
I am slightly certain I will be told many new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Hey very nice blog!
Everyone loves it when people come together and share
views. Great blog, continue the good work!
Quality content is the crucial to attract the users to pay a
visit the website, that’s what this site is providing.
Amazing! Its truly amazing article, I have got much clear
idea concerning from this article.
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to
keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos,
I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and
more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
This article is actually a pleasant one it assists new internet people,
who are wishing in favor of blogging.
I’m extremely pleased to uncover this great site.
I want to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful
read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new stuff in your site.
My brother recommended I may like this web site.
He was once entirely right. This put up actually made my day.
You can not consider just how much time I had spent for this info!
Thank you!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well
written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it
and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I’ll definitely return.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at
many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
This design is steller! You definitely 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!) Excellent job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how
you presented it. Too cool!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over
again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!
Excellent post. I certainly love this site.
Stick with it!
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people on this subject,
however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Excellent way of explaining, and nice paragraph to take
facts on the topic of my presentation focus, which i am going to present in college.
I seriously love your website.. Excellent colors & theme.
Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own website and would
like to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called.
Cheers!
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading
it, you can be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
may come back in the foreseeable future.
I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice morning!
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re
just too great. I actually like what you have acquired here, really 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 smart. I cant wait to read much more from you.
This is really a tremendous site.
Hi, I think your website could be having browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks
fine however, if opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues.
I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Apart from that, wonderful blog!
I think this is one of the most significant information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The website style is
great, the articles is really nice : D. Good
job, cheers
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am quite sure I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Fastidious answers in return of this question with solid
arguments and describing all concerning that.