Papo & Yo
| Papo & Yo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Minority[2] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Vander Caballero[3] |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 3 |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3[4] |
| Release | August 14, 2012[1] |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, adventure[5] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Papo & Yo is a fantasy adventure video game, released on August 14, 2012 on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) via the PlayStation Network (PSN).[5]
Gameplay
The game takes place in an unspecified Brazilian favela which the player has to navigate. The player takes on the role of Quico, a young kid who has run away from his home to escape his abusive and alcoholic father. Quico has the ability to turn the environment into a magical and dream-like world. For example, tugging a glowing thread can pull a stairway out of the side of a building, lifting a cardboard box can cause an entire building to come unmoored from its foundations, shacks can sprout legs and scuttle into place to provide a handy bridge. According to Ars Technica's website "there's a sense of childlike imagination at play in the way the game adds a layer of magic into the rundown world, and it's likely to make you look at your own surroundings a little differently after you play". [6]
One of the key elements of the game is Monster, a giant that Quico discovers while navigating through the slums. Monster at first appears to be very kind and helpful. He can be made to hold down pressure plates and his belly can be used as a super-trampoline to reach rooftops. Monster has an addiction for eating frogs and if he eats one he becomes a fiery, raging beast that will damage anything around him, even Quico if he cannot get away quickly enough. The player can use a fruit to calm him. [7]
Development
Announced on 3 June 2011, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the game will mark the debut release for Montreal-based studio Minority.[5] Development of Papo & Yo is supported by Sony's Pub Fund scheme, which provides financial support to small-scale developers.[8]
Papo & Yo was released on the PlayStation Network on August 14, 2012 as part of the second annual PlayStation Network (PSN) Play promotion.[9]
Soundtrack
Developer Minority announced a soundtrack release (composed by Brian D’Oliveira[10]) on PSN in a blog post, with a scheduled release date of December 18, 2012 in North America and one day later for Europe.[11]
References
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2011-06-03). "Minority studio debuts with Papo & Yo". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ Good, Owen (2011-06-03). "Papo & Yo is a Bittersweet Allegory of Growing Up With an Drug User". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ Hinkle, David (2011-06-02). "Papo & Yo turns a friend into an adversary on PSN in 2012". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ a b c d Dutton, Fred (2011-06-03). "Papo & Yo announced for PSN". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ Orland, Kyle (2012-08-14). "Review: Papo & Yo's dreamlike fable will stick with you". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ^ Kesten, Lou (2012-09-09). "Review: 'Papo & Yo' tells tale of abuse". LubbockOnline. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ^ Oliveira, Don (2011-06-02). "Papo & Yo announced, coming to PSN in 2012". PSU.com. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ "papo yo announced as a playstation network play 2012 title". Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ^ "The Music Stylings of Papo & Yo, Soundtrack and Sale on PSN Tomorrow". Retrieved 2012-12-23.
- ^ "Papo & Yo Original Soundtrack to be released!". Retrieved 2012-12-23.
External links
- Ars Technica: Papo & Yo explores abuse, fear, and poverty through... block puzzles?
- Minority Media: WeAreMinority.com