Mini Review: Despelote (PS5) – Lots of Meaning, Not So Much Game

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Beyond merely being a game involving a ball, football serves as a significant symbol, fostering connections and friendships, inciting journeys, and essentially shaping lifestyles worldwide.

I, being a passionate fan, was eagerly caught up in Despelote‘s attempt to embody that infectious fervor during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds. It was during these stages that Ecuador qualified for the tournament for the first time, and as a boy, I found myself immersed in this national enthusiasm. I constantly yearned for the chance to join my friends for an impromptu game, living and breathing football in anticipation of our team’s historic moment.

The game centers on Ecuador’s last five qualifying matches, where you can explore various scenes within a town and engage in activities while watching the games on TVs scattered around. This setup beautifully recreates the nostalgic feeling of being a football enthusiast without having the patience for a full 90-minute game. So, expect to spend time playing catch with friends and possibly causing a bit of mischief in the community.

In Dispelote, there are no specific goals set; instead, you wander around the given environment until it shifts into a new scene. Each scene functions like a playground with various interactive items scattered about, except for the action of moving the soccer ball which is managed by moving the right thumbstick back and forth.

The game lasts roughly 90 minutes from start to finish, but Despelote often feels aimless due to many scenes where little or nothing happens, and these can be repetitions of previous sequences. There’s not much interactive gameplay, so instead, it relies heavily on videos that detail Ecuador’s qualification process and political events from that time.

Despelote shines brightest here, offering an engaging visual journey. Real footage from Ecuador’s games is artistically rendered, using a distinct style that adds to the graphical appeal. The characters you encounter stand out against the backdrop of vibrant block colors, their white, sketch-like silhouettes drawing attention.

After the disappointing defeat in an away match, one might ponder: why did it matter? However well Despelote portrays the sentiment behind Ecuador’s qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it fails to create a compelling gaming experience about it.

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2025-05-01 16:06