Despelote

Nintendo Life

Roland Ingram·Dec 20, 2025

Critic90/100

Agreement—

With its distinctive presentation and light-touch mechanics, Despelote builds a mesmerising feeling of a community brought together by a fleeting football obsession. The historic moment of Ecuador's journey towards World Cup qualification grounds the story in time and place, perfectly capturing the author's salad days. Whether you play, watch, or avoid football, this is a beautifully-told story you can enjoy.

Rock Paper Shotgun

Graham Smith·May 2, 2025

Critic—

Agreement—

Despelote ought to feel idiosyncratic. Set in Ecuador during the country's historic World Cup qualifying campaign in 2001, its protagonist is a half-remembered version of the game's lead developer. Yet there's nothing peculiar about it, either. Despelote is a game so authentic…

Eurogamer

Chris Tapsell·May 1, 2025

Critic100/100

Agreement—

Despelote's creators tell a remarkable, pseudo-autobiographical tale about football and Ecuador - but also one about the act of remembering.

Push Square

Liam Croft·May 1, 2025

Critic50/100

Agreement—

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.