Unfortunately, the gameplay doesn't force players to come up with creative solutions to the problems at hand.

It's designed as a puzzle-platformer that tasks players with exploring the environments and figuring out the way to open up the right path. Unfortunately, while Papo & Yo works wonderfully as a story, it's far less effective as a game. There's no time to play in the beautiful South American-inspired landscape when he has to take care of a loved one who will turn on him at the slightest provocation. Like the child of an alcoholic parent, Quico doesn't get to enjoy his youth. Since Monster doesn't have the willpower to restrain his frog addiction, it's up to Quico to take care of Monster, destroying frogs, blocking Monster's path, and finding the medicine that will defuse Monster's rage. When he's lucid, Monster is a lovable oaf with a gentle manner, but after eating only one frog, he ignites and swats at Quico with savage fury. This makes the portrayal of Monster absolutely heartbreaking. The metaphor behind Papo & Yo isn't obvious, but as Cabarello has said in interviews, Monster is based on his own alcoholic father. Quico has to take care of Monster by solving puzzles to cool the creature off, while keeping himself out of Monster's destructive path. Unfortunately for the young boy, Monster is even more loyal to his need to eat poisonous frogs, and when he eats a frog, he slips into a literally burning rage, lashing out at everyone around him. Monster, as his name suggests, is a gigantic rhinoceros-like creature and a seemingly loyal friend to Quico. A fantastical recounting of author Vander Caballero's traumatic upbringing, Papo & Yo tells the story of a Brazilian boy named Quico and his best friend Monster. The reason Papo & Yo's weak gameplay aggravates so much is because it could have been something truly unique and moving. Though it's not exactly a bad game, it's not nearly as well executed as the premise deserved to be. A quintessential example of a unique game that should have been much better than it actually is would be Papo & Yo.

However, when a game offers a glimpse into more interesting and creative territory, it's all the more distressing when the execution is botched.

It's one thing to be disappointed by a game that fell into familiar genres and settings, because there are plenty of more enjoyable alternatives. It's unfortunate when a game promises a unique, compelling, and artistic experience… and then fails to live up to that promise.

Free download papo and yo ps3