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despelote

despelote

PCPlayStationXboxNintendo
Released

Release Date: May 1, 2025

Adventure, FPP, Football, Indie Games, Singleplayer

A first-person football adventure game. The action of despelote takes place in Ecuador in 2001. We play as an 8-year old Julian, kicking the ball and interacting with various people and objects from the world. The boy wants to spend time celebrating the country's chance to qualify for the football World Cup.

8.4

OpenCritic

9.6

Steam

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Ratings
[1:47] - Gameplay Trailer Videos: 1
Screenshot Images: 8
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despelote is an adventure game that allows us to play as an eight-year-old Ecuadorian celebrating the possibility of his country qualifying for the World Cup in 2001. The game is the result of collaboration between independent developers - Julian Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena.

Gameplay

In despelote we watch the events from a first-person perspective (FPP). During the game, we traverse Quito, the capital of Ecuador, kicking a ball in front of us. By passing the ball to different people, we engage with them in various interactions and get to know their reactions, as well as find out what they have to say.

Among the characters we meet on the city streets, we can find both peers of the protagonist (Julian), as well as adults. Not everyone shares the hero's enthusiasm, especially when he starts to misbehave.

The story told in the game has a bittersweet and of a partly biographical character.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 4

Xbox One

Xbox One

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Julián Cordero

Publisher: Panic Inc.

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for despelote Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-7700HQ / AMD FX-8350, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 8 GB HDD, Windows 10.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-8600K 3.6 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1660 / 4 GB Radeon RX 580, 8 GB HDD, Windows 11.

Ratings

Game Ratings for despelote Video Game.

8.4

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 91% of Critics. There are 20 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

RPG Fan: 83 / 100

Whether or not you're a football fan, Despelote has a lot to say about the sport, its fans, and the impact it has on them, and much of it is worth listening to.

Full Review

Cultured Vultures: 8 / 10

Despelote's story might not sound appealing to anyone who doesn't like footy, but the themes and messages make it well worth checking out.

Full Review

WayTooManyGames: 5.5 / 10 by Leonardo Faria

Despelote is not awful… it’s just very confusing. I appreciate the interesting premise and presentation, but it’s just somewhat devoid of elements that make it a proper “game”. Even the football-related gameplay (or what little of it is present) feels clunky and shallow. I also think the story could have been more focused on the innocence and lack of urgency in the life of a child – it would have made it a lot more relatable.

Full Review
96%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (530)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Authentic Experience: Many players praised the game's ability to authentically capture childhood memories and the cultural significance of soccer in Ecuador, particularly during the 2001 World Cup qualifiers. The narrative resonates deeply with those familiar with the context.
  • Unique Art Style: The game's visual presentation, featuring a blend of 3D environments and hand-drawn characters, received significant acclaim for its creativity and ability to evoke nostalgia.
  • Natural Dialogue and Sound Design: Users highlighted the naturalness of the dialogue, which was recorded with local voices, adding to the immersive experience. The ambient sounds and music contributed to the overall atmosphere.
  • Emotional Depth: The game effectively evokes feelings of nostalgia and connection to childhood experiences, allowing players to relive moments of innocence and joy, even if they did not grow up in Ecuador.
  • Short, Focused Experience: Many appreciated the game's brevity, feeling that the two-hour runtime was perfect for the story it wanted to tell, avoiding unnecessary bloat.

The main cons of the game

  • Limited Gameplay Mechanics: Some reviewers noted that the gameplay is simplistic and might not appeal to those looking for more traditional gaming experiences or complex mechanics. The interactive elements are minimal and often feel secondary to the narrative.
  • Perceived Lack of Substance: A few users felt that the story lacked tension or significant events, making it feel more like a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative arc. This left some players feeling disconnected from the protagonist's journey.
  • Short Length: While many appreciated the game's brief runtime, others felt it was too short and desired more content or deeper exploration of the themes presented.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Expansion of Gameplay: Players expressed a desire for more interactive gameplay elements, such as mini-games or challenges related to soccer that could enhance the experience.
  • Chapter Select or Free Roam Mode: Some users suggested that a chapter select feature or a free-roam mode would allow for deeper exploration of the game's world and its various interactions.
  • More Engaging Narrative Progression: A few reviewers mentioned that the narrative could benefit from more conflict or character development to create a more engaging story, as the current structure felt too episodic.
  • Visual Improvements: While the art style was praised, some players found certain color choices not very eye-friendly, suggesting a need for visual refinement in darker scenes.

Summary

  • Overall, Despelote is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural representation, though it may not cater to all players' expectations regarding gameplay depth and length.

Summary generated on: