Game Life: Papo y Yo – A Unique Autobiographical Story
Summary
In this article, we will be discussing Papo y Yo, a downloadable game for PlayStation 3 that stands out as an autobiographical story of the creator’s childhood. We will explore the storyline, gameplay, and the challenges of creating a game that tackles mature subjects.
Table of Contents
- The Storyline of Papo y Yo
- Gameplay of Papo y Yo
- The Challenge of Creating a Game with Mature Subject Matter
- Conclusion
The Storyline of Papo y Yo
Papo y Yo is an allegorical story of Vander Caballero’s childhood, in which he had to grow up with an abusive, alcoholic father. The game follows the story of the young boy main character, Kik, who is friends and enemies with a giant monster named Papo. Papo can be helpful, except when he eats the poisonous frogs that he’s addicted to, which cause him to go into a violent rage. The story is emotional and powerful, and it is what makes the game stand out from others.
Gameplay of Papo y Yo
Papo y Yo is an environmental puzzle game that was mostly inspired by Sony’s game, Ico. The puzzles can be slightly puzzling, but it doesn’t take long to find the solution every time. The game is relatively short, taking only about 4 hours to complete. The design team wanted to make sure the game was frictionless, so players wouldn’t get stuck on any puzzles. This makes the game easy to complete, but it also means that players miss out on the feeling of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a challenging obstacle.
The Challenge of Creating a Game with Mature Subject Matter
Creating a game that tackles mature subject matter is challenging. People expect fun gameplay first and foremost, and mature subject matter is often seen as a secondary consideration. BioWare, the makers of RPGs like Mass Effect, has tracked this and found that only 36% of people finished Dragon Age Origins. Papo y Yo was deliberately designed to be short and easy to complete, so it would be more accessible to the average gamer. However, this also means that the game lacks the depth and complexity that many gamers look for in a game.
Conclusion
Papo y Yo is a unique and powerful game that tackles mature subject matter. The game’s strength is in its storyline, which is emotional and powerful. However, the game’s short length and easy puzzles mean that it lacks the depth and complexity that many gamers look for in a game. Despite this, we would encourage you to play Papo y Yo and experience the emotional journey that Vander Caballero has created.
