Papo & Yo was previously the recipient of Sony’s Indie Pub Fund and has been a PSN exclusive since- until now, that is. The adventure title has just been released for the first time on Steam, allowing PC players to immerse themselves in its strange and sometimes melancholy world. Developer Minority Media has stated that the PC release of the game will feature updated graphics, controls, and gameplay. It will also be compatible with Steam’s Big Picture mode.
Papo & Yo is a game that is more than it seems. On the surface it’s the story of a boy named Quico and his monster friend. They play together in a surrealistic world, happy except for one thing: when Monster indulges in his addiction to poisoned frogs, he goes berserk, becoming a danger to himself and to Quico.
It’s up to Quico to keep himself safe and find a way to save his monster from itself. Players utilize the relationship between Quico and Monster to solve puzzles and explore the stylized South American favela that makes up the setting.
Dig a bit deeper into the game’s backstory, however, and you’ll discover that the relationship between Quico and his monster is semi-autobiographical with relation to the game’s creative director Vander Caballero. Caballero grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father. As one of the game’s trailers puts it: “When I was a kid, my father was a monster.”
The game as a whole takes on a new meaning when you take into account how Quico’s relationship with his Monster mirror’s Caballero’s own relationship with his father as a child.
Papo & Yo is priced at $14.99 on Steam, but is available for 10% off until April 28th. A Soundtrack Edition is also available for $16.99.
