Metaphorical video games

Hi ! Today, I will speak about metaphorical video games.

At first glance, this kind of video games has a linear narration with a beautiful and powerful writing. Most of the time, it takes place in a fantasy and poetic world which hides a deep meaning in the script about social problems like breakdown or bullying. It is a metaphor of life problems which can lead the player to identify with the main character. We can see the reality between the lines of the scenario.

Now, I will introduce you to an metaphorical video game:

Papo & Yo

Description

It is an original indie game (independant) which takes place in a favela in Brazil. One day, Quico, a young boy, escapes from the reality by creating an imaginary world to run away from his dad. He met Monster, his new best friend, a pink beast with a horn on it face. But, when Monster eats a frog, it becomes savage and can hurt everyone, even Quico. Then, the main character creates others relationships with Lula and Alejandra who are his guides in this dream world and warn Quico of Monster. In order to advance in the story, Quico interacts with surroundings : he can move houses or create stairs.

Papo & Yo is an autobiographical video game. It begins with a quote of Vander Caballero, creative director of Papo & Yo: “To my mother, brothers and sisters with whom I survived the monster in my father”. Indeed, the background of the story is a metaphor of his childhood and his violent and alcoholic father.

My opinion

To me, Papo & Yo is a charming video game in a magical world with wonderful landscapes of South America favelas and graffiti. Secondly, It has an original soundtrack with typical tone of Brazilian music which immerse the player in the video game ambiance. It tells psychological problems that players could have live. Finally, the video game emotionally involve me and I consider it such as a work of art.

See you next time !

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papo_%26_Yo