If you’re diving into Despelote, the 2025 narrative-driven adventure game set in Quito, Ecuador, you’re in for a heartfelt and immersive journey. This Despelote walkthrough and guide provides everything you need: a step-by-step path through the story, exploration tips, hidden interactions, and strategies to fully experience this unique slice-of-life game.
Unlike traditional action games, Despelote focuses on storytelling, exploration, and atmosphere. Your main tool is a simple soccer ball — but it becomes a gateway to conversations, memories, and connections with the city and its people.
Introduction to Despelote
Despelote is not just about playing soccer; it’s about reliving childhood moments, exploring Quito in the late 1990s, and experiencing how football ties a community together. The game combines open-ended exploration, dialogue-driven choices, and environmental storytelling.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to navigate Quito’s neighborhoods
- How to interact with NPCs
- How to use your soccer ball effectively
- How to unlock hidden secrets and achievements
- A step-by-step walkthrough of the full story
Gameplay Basics
Before we dive into the walkthrough, let’s cover the fundamentals of playing Despelote.
Movement & Interaction
- Movement: Standard WASD controls on PC (analog stick on consoles).
- Kick Ball: Use the action button to dribble, kick, or pass the ball.
- Interact: Approach NPCs or objects and press the interaction key to trigger dialogue or events.
- Camera: Move the mouse or right stick to look around Quito’s streets.
Using the Soccer Ball
Your ball is the central mechanic of Despelote:
- You can kick it into people to trigger dialogue or reactions.
- You can pass it to children to start informal soccer games.
- You can bounce it off walls to interact with hidden objects.
- Losing the ball isn’t permanent — it respawns nearby if stuck.
Dialogue Choices
- NPC conversations are casual and story-driven.
- Choices affect tone and immersion but don’t lock you out of progression.
- Listening carefully reveals cultural insights about Quito.
Full Despelote Walkthrough
Now let’s go through the story chapter by chapter.
Chapter 1: Arrival in Quito
- Starting Scene You begin as a young boy walking home through the bustling streets of Quito. Kick your ball around to test controls. Try bouncing it into vendors and pedestrians to hear unique comments.
- First Interactions Approach the street vendors. Some will react humorously if your ball rolls into their stalls. Speak with classmates hanging around near the school gates. They’ll teach you more about the soccer craze.
- Objective Your goal is simply to explore and get familiar with your surroundings. Spend time talking to neighbors and children before heading home.
Tip: Early exploration sets the tone. Don’t rush — Despelote rewards curiosity.
Chapter 2: The Neighborhood Match
- Triggering the Match Head to the open lot where kids gather to play. Kick your ball to one of them to start a neighborhood soccer game.
- Gameplay Mechanics The match isn’t about winning; it’s about fun and interaction. Pass the ball to teammates, try scoring against makeshift goals, and enjoy the banter.
- Story Progression After the match, NPCs discuss Ecuador’s growing excitement about international football. Pay attention to dialogue here — it introduces themes that carry forward.
Tip: Don’t ignore bystanders watching the game. Talking to them can unlock optional dialogue about Quito’s history.
Chapter 3: Exploring Downtown Quito
- Main Street Exploration Travel with your ball through busy downtown areas. Vendors, taxis, and passersby react dynamically to your presence.
- Key Interactions Kick your ball near policemen — some scold you, others laugh. Enter side alleys to find hidden murals that reveal cultural pride.
- Objective Meet your friend who’s waiting near the plaza. Dialogue here highlights Ecuador’s hopes in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Tip: If you bounce your ball into a church courtyard, you unlock a small secret cutscene with chanting children.
Chapter 4: School Day Adventures
- Morning Routine Head into school with your ball. Teachers react differently depending on where you kick it. Sneak the ball into the classroom to trigger a humorous mini-event.
- Playground Soccer During recess, challenge classmates to a game. Here, ball control mechanics become more refined, encouraging practice.
- Narrative Beat After school, conversations deepen about Ecuador’s football culture. The city’s anticipation grows as rumors of international matches spread.
Chapter 5: Family and Community
- Home Scenes Interact with your family members. Dialogue reveals how football unites generations.
- Neighborhood Dialogue Older residents share stories of past matches. Children dream of becoming professional players.
- Optional Exploration Walk with your ball at sunset — triggering reflective narration about belonging and community.
Chapter 6: The Big Celebration
- Plaza Gathering The city comes alive with football fever. Flags, chants, and street performers fill the plaza. Kick your ball into the crowd — each reaction adds to the atmosphere.
- Main Objective Celebrate Ecuador’s victory with your community. This is the emotional climax, where your simple ball symbolizes national pride.
- Ending Sequence The story concludes with your character reflecting on childhood, community, and football’s power to bring people together.
Despelote Tips and Tricks
- Experiment with the Ball: Almost every NPC has a unique reaction if you pass or kick the ball near them.
- Talk to Everyone: Dialogue is the core of Despelote. Some characters unlock hidden lines that expand the story.
- Explore Side Streets: Many alleys contain murals, graffiti, or hidden conversations.
- Take Your Time: There’s no rush — Despelote rewards a relaxed, curious approach.
- Replay for Secrets: Each playthrough reveals new details depending on your exploration choices.
Hidden Secrets and Achievements
- Secret Cutscenes: Kicking your ball into unusual places (like rooftops or courtyards) can unlock hidden dialogue.
- Achievement: Street Performer’s Partner – Join a street musician by bouncing your ball to their rhythm.
- Achievement: Classroom Chaos – Sneak your ball into a classroom without the teacher noticing.
- Achievement: History of Quito – Talk to every elder NPC in the city to hear their stories.
- Achievement: Plaza Hero – Keep your ball in the air for 20 kicks during the final celebration.
Why Play Despelote?
Despelote is more than a game — it’s a cultural experience. By following this Despelote guide, you’ll not only complete the story but also appreciate the history, humor, and humanity embedded in every interaction.
If you love narrative adventures like What Remains of Edith Finch or Night in the Woods, Despelote offers a unique South American perspective filled with nostalgia, football, and community spirit.
Conclusion
This Despelote walkthrough and complete guide gives you everything you need to enjoy the game to its fullest: detailed steps, tips, and hidden secrets. Whether you’re here to relive childhood memories, explore the streets of Quito, or simply enjoy a heartfelt story, Despelote delivers a one-of-a-kind experience.
Take your time, explore every alley, and remember — sometimes the simplest games, like kicking a ball with friends, create the most lasting memories.
Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide for your next playthrough — you may notice new details each time.