X
despelote
Released On: May 1, 2025
89
6.1
All Platforms
View All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
89
100% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
89
100% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
This is fascinating, formally daring stuff that, in its two-hour playtime, asks more questions about the nature of memory, simulation and identity than a dozen 100-hour epics.
Despelote is yet another juicy example of the ability of hyper specific stories to unlock universally human feelings, rather than the often misguided attempts to generalise settings and identities to reach more people. I want more games like this, and thankfully smart companies like Panic keep publishing them.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 54 User Ratings
6.1
46% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
24% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
30% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 54 User Ratings
6.1
46% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
24% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
30% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
This game hits hard. I barely know anything about Ecuador or soccer. But everything about this demo is so natural, intimate, nostalgic, well-directed and perfectly paced. It makes you feel like you are playing through a Paolo Sorrentino's film. The best one. You won't regret giving it a try if you are into narrative adventures. Just incredible.
Report
PC
Sin ser muy futbolero a mi me ha gustado este juego de fútbol, bueno más bien es una aventura narrativa sobre el fútbol, y como los habitantes de Ecuador vivieron la clasificación al mundial de 2001, despelote con una jugabilidad única, unas físicas más que curradas, y un diseño artístico muy muy original se posiciona para mí como uno de los indies más importantes del año. Dura lo que tiene que durar (unas 2 horas), y está a muy bajo precio, más que recomendado.
Report
PC
Despolote is a reminder that video games are so important to the medium of storytelling. Through gorgeous visuals and a story is elation and excitement, this unique experiences manages to keep you engaged and uplifted throughout. It won't be for everyone, but if you're a player that loves to find greatness in independent games, you're going to feel like you've scored a hat-trick with this one.
Despelote is one of the year’s most fascinating indie games, one I can recommend without much hesitation.
Despelote‘s short length will put some people off and the finicky controls could use some fine-tuning and extra settings to adjust. But if you’re even a little intrigued by trailers, the demo, or indeed this review, you’ll find a truly charming and sincere little odyssey with a sweet story to tell and a unique, engaging way of telling it.
Despelote tells the story of an eight-year-old boy from Quito, while Ecuador is close to achieving its first World Cup qualification. The magic of the game lies in how it manages to portray unique moments of everyday life.
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.
This is the weirdest game I've ever played. Absolutely nothing like I expected. I also can't stop thinking about it. It's like getting to experience someone else's memories, but they feel like your own. I kind of want to live there? I want more games like this, immediately.
Report
PC
Man the first little bit of this game kicking the ball around is great and the soccer game is fun but that's about it. The story is...fine. There are worse but this game needed the gameplay to hold this up and it did not succeed in that.
Report
PC
Even free even watch it on utube not worth it sorry, how got positive reviews ????
- 1:30 hour boring long (30 minutes stretch to 1.30)
-very expensive very short very very repetitive sluggish boring walking simulator wait to something to happen with kick balls not a game, bad dialog, poor uninteresting story and awful unjustified ending.
-only good graphics.
Report
PC
Really good concept. It tried to make a unique and innovative way of storytelling in an already familiar format but the game fell short on gluing the story and gameplay together till the end.
Report
PC
Summary Despelote is a soccer game about people. Get immersed in the streets and parks of Quito through the eyes and ears of eight year old Julián. Dribble, pass and shoot your soccer ball around town, and see what happens when you kick it someone's way. Feel the city change as Ecuador comes closer than ever to qualifying for the World Cup.
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date: May 1, 2025
Developer:
- Julian Cordero
Publisher:
Panic Inc.
Genres: