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! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about
creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
Appreciate it
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to write a little comment to support you.
Having read this I thought it was really enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both
reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth
it!
It’s great that you are getting thoughts from this article as well as from our argument
made at this place.
Thanks to my father who shared with me concerning this blog, this webpage is in fact amazing.
It’s an remarkable piece of writing designed for all the
internet visitors; they will take benefit from it I
am sure.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted
to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to
write a little comment to support you.
You’ve made some good points there. I checked on the web to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of
this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that
would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward
to new updates.
Why users still use to read news papers when in this
technological globe the whole thing is accessible on web?
Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Many thanks!
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!
Hey! I know this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask.
Does managing a well-established blog like yours take a lot of work?
I’m brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my
diary every day. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
Thankyou!
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after
I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to
say great blog!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.
I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my
very own site now 😉
Thanks designed for sharing such a good opinion, post is fastidious,
thats why i have read it completely
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new
from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this site,
since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous
to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if
your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances
times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and
marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look
out for much more of your respective interesting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post!
Hi, this weekend is pleasant for me, as this point in time i am reading this wonderful informative piece of writing here at my home.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some
of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back
often!
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Pretty portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to
claim that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and even I success you get right of entry to persistently rapidly.
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice
of colors!
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to
take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thanks, very nice post.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a
few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why
but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
Thanks for the good writeup. It in reality was once a enjoyment account it.
Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how could we
be in contact?
Terrific work! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared
around the internet. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this submit higher!
Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)
It’s going to be finish of mine day, except before ending I am reading this impressive piece of
writing to improve my knowledge.
Excellent article. I will be going through some of these issues as well..
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog
platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Do you have any video of that? I’d love to find out more details.
Good article. I definitely appreciate this website.
Stick with it!
You’ve made some good points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the
issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly
long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!
Hey, I think your site 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!
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you
wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more
formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you
shield this hike.
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout
and design. Excellent choice of colors!
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing for your rss feed and I
am hoping you write once more soon!
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Very good blog post. I definitely appreciate
this site. Keep it up!
I was more than happy to find this website. I want to
to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!!
I definitely savored every part of it and I have you book-marked to look at
new stuff in your blog.
Hiya very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb ..
I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?
I’m glad to search out so many useful info here within the put up, we
want develop extra strategies in this regard, thank
you for sharing. . . . . .
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for
sharing.
I go to see daily a few sites and information sites to read articles or reviews, however this website provides
feature based writing.
I simply could not leave your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the standard information a person provide in your
visitors? Is gonna be back frequently to investigate cross-check new posts
Amazing! Its genuinely amazing piece of writing, I have got much clear idea on the
topic of from this post.