Video game review: Papo & Yo

Published on 01/09/2012 19:31

Not many games tackle a subject as serious as Papo & Yo. Designer Vander Caballero drew on his own experiences of living with an abusive alcoholic father for this action puzzler about the relationship between Monster and young boy Quico.

The gameplay sees you running through a South American favela flicking switches and turning keys that alter reality, cajoling, manipulating and running for your life from Monster. You might fear Monster but you can’t progress without him. Unfortunately the puzzles are simplistic, the graphics basic and buggy, but there are moments of magical invention and genuine pathos. It’s great to see such sincere intentions, even if the execution doesn’t quite live up to it.

Henry Northmore