Despelote is a video game that follows an 8-year-old boy in Ecuador who is on his way to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. You play in the first person as Julian as he walks around Quito and dribbles his ball. The game was inspired by Ecuador’s run qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The premise of the game may be misleading, because it’s not a sports game in the way that you’re used to. You never actually play any soccer matches or practice with your team. Instead, you walk around Quito and talk to its people and kick a soccer ball around. The game invites all players to experience the atmosphere of Ecuador before the World Cup in 2002.
The creators of the game curated a very accurate atmosphere, drawing from their own childhood memories. Despelote manages to convey the importance of soccer in Ecuador.
Why Should I Download Despelote?
You should download Despelote if you like unique narrative adventures. The game manages to capture the vibe of 2002 in Ecuador perfectly. If that is a time you lived through, Despelote can be a nostalgic experience for you.
Part of the game’s appeal lies in its visual style. You will see real shots of Quito with hand-drawn characters over them. The audio doesn’t fail to impress either. It provides ambient sounds recorded on the streets of Ecuador. The overall feeling Despelote creates is that of youth and freedom, which shines against the main theme that brought all of Ecuador together in 2002—the FIFA World Cup.
Despelote is centered around map exploration. You walk around the city of Quito as Julian, an 8-year-old soccer lover, and connect with people on the streets. It is a relatively quick experience, lasting only about 2 hours. The game is very narrative-driven, so you will enjoy it if you’re looking for a wholesome story rather than action and competition.
Is Despelote Free?
No, Despelote is not a free game. It is a paid game for PC and gaming consoles. You need to make one payment to purchase the title.
What Operating Systems Are Compatible with Despelote?
Despelote is available on PC through Steam, as well as on gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
If you want to play on a computer, make sure you have a Windows or macOS machine. The requirements for Windows are a Windows 10 operating system, a 64-bit processor, 8 GB of RAM, 8 GB of storage space, and a GeForce GTX 1050 GPU (or equivalent). If you want to play on a Mac, make sure your computer runs macOS 11.0 or later.
What Are the Alternatives to Despelote?
If you liked Despelote’s wholesome atmosphere and storytelling, there are other games you can try. Here are some of them.
Untitled Goose Game is quite different from Despelote in its theme, but it manages to convey the atmosphere of a different place just as well. You play as a goose who is wreaking havoc on an English village. The game is playable on Windows and macOS computers, and gaming consoles such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The gameplay consists of pulling various pranks on the people of the village, like stealing someone’s keys or hiding their tools. You accomplish that through stealth and puzzle mechanics.
Danchi Days lets you explore a Japanese housing complex, otherwise known as "danchi," in the 2000s. The game’s release is scheduled for the end of October 2026. The story follows a 12-year-old girl who moves in with her ill grandmother. Your goal is to support the girl while she’s trying to put together a summer festival for her grandmother’s enjoyment. Danchi Days gives you a peek into the life of a Japanese housing complex and brings back some Y2K memories.
As Long As You’re Here follows the story of an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s. The game takes you on a journey through jumbled-up memories, family disputes, and mental disability. As Long As You’re Here is heavily narrative-based and all about interactions. If you enjoy exploring brain disorders and human relationships, then you will like this game.
