

If you get stumped, a nearby hint box pushes you in the right direction. Once he has a secure grip, you call him over toward you, causing the rope to grow taut and platforms to rise from the ground. For instance, in one puzzle, you have to coax your robot pal to grab onto a length of rope. We only had a chance to see a few puzzles in the brief demo, but they provided a decent challenge without too much punishment. Platforms and boxes erupt out of the ground, trapping certain characters while allowing others to reach new heights, which makes it feel as if anything could potentially happen. The city is realistic looking, but dreamlike touches make it clear that this does not take place in reality. Each section of the city contains a puzzle or two that is blocking your path, and you need to recognize where the barrier lies and figure out how to continue moving. There is only a modest structure at this point, so it takes a bit of experimentation to figure out what you're supposed to do. You play as a small child named Quico, who's joined by a tiny robot pal. Papo & Yo takes place in a small village in South America. This PlayStation Network game is due for release sometime next year, but it has certainly caught our attention in the early stages. Its deeply personal subject matter, clever implantation of puzzles, and surreal art design combined to make something unique and engaging. Papo & Yo is a game that chronicles the horror of growing up with an alcoholic father.

But amid all the glamour and hype bubbling through the show floor lies a modest downloadable game that somehow stood out from the crowd. The Electronic Entertainment Expo is where flashy graphics and highly anticipated sequels take the spotlight.
