About Papo & Yo

Papo and Yo stars Quico, a young boy with an abusive, alcoholic father who has fled into a Brazilian urban slum where magical physics can be layered upon the physics of the real world. By passing through chalk drawn doors, Quico gains access to the magical layer. Passing back through a door can avoid threats and obstacles unique to the magical layer. For instance, manipulating a stack of cardboard boxes moves nearby large favela dwellings. This one mechanic alone is important commentary. Favela dwellings are sometimes regarded as a ramshackle collection of scrap plywood, corrugated metal, plastic sheets, and of course cardboard boxes. In reality they are thoughtfully designed, very sturdy reinforced steel, brick, concrete, tile roofed bunkers that are likely tougher than the average home in so called "developed countries". Favela dwellings can be given legs to walk around with. Staircases can be pulled out of walls with magical thread. Residents of the magical layer are not necessarily welcoming. One particularly important character is a giant monster Quico comes to love. A friendly and helpful father figure at times. But he has an addiction to poisonous frogs. When under their influence, or suffering withdrawal from them, this monster is an immediate and overwhelming threat to all surrounding life and property. The player will be directing Quico not just through puzzles, but in complex social interactions. I don't want to give too much away, but I'll just say this is not Disneyesque magic world. In this world, magic offers no salvation, it is subject to the whims and abuse of realistic human darkness. Outside of the magical layer, real life is likewise presented realistically harsh.