Papo & Yo E3 2011 Preview -- Cookies And Hugs, No. Frogs As A Metaphor For Alcohol, Yes.

Papo & Yo, a downloadable title for PSN slated for 2012 release, is a game you may not have heard of before. If I told you it was a game about friendship between a boy and his pink rhino-esque friend, you might dismiss it as too cutesy. If I told you it was a metaphor for the designer's experiences growing up with an alcoholic father however, would that catch your attention? Jeffrey Matulef's preview certainly grabbed mine:

"According to creative director, Vander Caballero, it's a story about his childhood and relationship to his alcoholic father. He saw videogames as a means of escape; to feel powerful and protected from the world around him. Now he seeks to bring his experience to his beloved medium.

It's a heady premise, but underlying it is a dreamlike puzzle game."

The game emphasizes childhood imagination and relationships, and the metaphor for family issues deepens gameplay to an impressive level. I admit I'd never heard of the game before checking out the full Papo & Yo E3 2011 preview, but I'm pretty excited now. Make sure to check it out yourself and let us know what you think!