Despelote: A Soccer Game that Explores Ecuadorian Culture

The slice-of-life soccer game, Despelote, was recently announced and will release for the PS5 in 2024. 

If you were enticed by the quirky uniqueness of Untitled Goose Game, the publisher, Panic, has recently announced a new, equally creative, PlayStation 5 game, Despelote, set to release in 2024. Despelote is a slice-of-life adventure game that captures the magic and wonder of childhood and the love for soccer that held the people of Quito, Ecuador, in its grip in 2001. 

The creators of the game, Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena, have expertly crafted a semi-autobiographical story that feels authentic to a specific time and place yet manages to evoke a universal sense of nostalgia and wonder as you explore the streets of Quito and soak in the local culture. Selected to be a part of the Tribeca 2023 Festival Selection, players will learn more about Ecuadorian culture during the early aughts. 

The gameplay of Despelote revolves around the core mechanics of soccer, including dribbling, passing, and kicking, wrapped in a stylized hand-drawn aesthetic. The game’s narrative is deeply intertwined with the sport as you experience the excitement of Ecuador’s going for the World Cup.

From the trailer, it’s clear that Despelote boasts a unique and stunning visual style, with textures and reference photos taken from the town of Quito itself. The audio is similarly authentic, with conversations and sounds from the city itself recorded to create an immersive soundscape. The game is voiced in Spanish, and subtitles will be available in various languages to accommodate players’ preferences.

We can’t wait to experience the magic when the game launches on PlayStation 5 in 2024. 

Stay tuned for more updates in our news section for Despelote.