Despelote Reviews
In the core, it's a short sketch of happy childhood memories, a slice-of-life video game, but somehow it manages to take a place in the heart - and make heart warmer.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Despelote's creators tell a remarkable, pseudo-autobiographical tale about football, Ecuador, and community - but also one about the act of remembering, and the creative act itself.
Despelote is a moving and masterfully rendered game about soccer, growing up, and so much more.
Like the drive back home from an away day loss, you’re left wondering: what was the point? Despelote laudably captures the emotion surrounding Ecuador’s qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but it struggles to craft a satisfying video game about it.
You’re presumably capable of kicking the ball and hitting a bottle perched on a fence post, but it feels apt that you miss time and time again, until one of the other, better kids steps in to take the shot and does what you can’t. At which point, you keep at it, because the world goes on.
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.
Despelote is a short narrative adventure told through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy, as he goes through life while the nation around comes to grips with finally seeing a major sports dream become reality for the first-time in Ecuador's history. The autobiographical tale gives players the freedom to tailor Julian's memories of this momentous time. Encouraging exploration through the joy of kicking a ball. Although the story itself may not resonate with everyone, the way you experience those two hours is in of itself special.
Despelote beautifully captures the mundane but rich childhood experience of play and sport through its gentle slice-of-life narrative. Via its stellar first-person soccer mechanics, intimate scope, and outstanding hand-made visual stylings, it succeeds at capturing a personal autobiographical sense of Ecuador and the quietly affecting experiences of youth.
Despelote is a nostalgic first-person exploration of childhood, time, and play. This short story is emotionally gripping while the playstyle of kicking soccer balls and listening to conversations is relaxed and contemplative. Despelote will capture the hearts of many, in similar ways to how soccer did for the people and communities of Quito in the early 2000s. An artful experience that made me feel sad, hopeful, and achingly human.
Despelote is far from being a title that draws attention for its gameplay or challenge. It comes with a very different proposal for a very specific audience, but that does not diminish the credit of its experience. For those who enjoy curious excerpts from parallel realities to ours, which were previously only possible through television documentaries, you will be quite surprised by this game, even if it doesn't last long.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A beautiful portrait of a 2001 neighborhood in Quito, Ecuador, taking advantage of the deep personal connections the gaming medium is best for, despelote seamlessly imprints itself on the player's mind.
It is a story full of love and poetry, which brings into play the point of view of an inanimate object, that ball which is the true protagonist of the story , to which we constantly return throughout the story. It is also a story that teaches us how unimportant winning is.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despelote is one of the year’s most fascinating indie games, one I can recommend without much hesitation.
Despelote is a game that offers a piece of life to the player. And as a player we become aware that the only game in Despelote is the “Fifa” that we sometimes play on the family TV (and the only thing that has achievements). It is a Walking simulator of a child but it is not childish. In two hours it offers impressive narrative class that is not for everyone, because it moves away from what is traditionally considered a video game. But there can't be a better medium to express what it intends.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
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.
despelote is more than just a simple game, it's a beautiful and interactive presentation of a people who have been incorporating football into their culture. With a great pace and extremely well done dialogues, the game keeps your attention and curiosity as it introduces the player to Ecuador. All this from the point of view of an 8-year-old kid with a passion for soccer.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despelote will extend its hand to the player and invite them on a Virgil-like walk through the ever-increasing tension that permeated Ecuador in 2001. While the gameplay is not adrenaline-fuelled, its earnestness serves to be equally captivating and the primary motivation to see the game through.