This nostalgic indie game is a mash-up of comic art and photorealism - why it works

Indie developer Julián Cordero's game, Despelote, aims to capture the intimate and emotionally charged experience of playing football in Ecuador rather than the grand spectacle of mainstream football games. Influenced by his childhood memories, Cordero emphasizes local play and community spirit, transporting players to Quito during a transformative World Cup qualifier. The game acts as both a tribute to his roots and a personal narrative, blending autobiographical elements through visual design and storytelling, ultimately celebrating the essence of soccer as a communal experience rather than a mere competitive sport.

"When I was thinking about what football meant to me, it's not FIFA. It's been just more like playing in the neighbourhood, kicking a ball everywhere."

"As we were making the game, it started becoming more and more autobiographical. I could never just write a character, I could only just pick out stuff from my life."

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