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One of the remarkable feats of art, or possibly of the human mind, is its capacity to turn deeply personal experiences into something that resonates universally. Despelote is a semi-autobiographical, documentary-like game that captures what it was like to grow up in Ecuador during the nation’s first successful qualification for the 2002 World Cup. More than that, it encapsulates the essence of childhood: play, boredom, obsessions, myth-making, the perspective of adults from a child’s viewpoint, and how that adult world shapes your identity. It’s truly a work of art.

Created by Julián Cordero and Sebastian Valbuena, Despelote is inspired by Cordero’s childhood experiences in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, and his deep connection to soccer (referred to as football elsewhere). The game serves as a nostalgic reflection, yet memory can be elusive. Toward the end, Cordero shares in a voiceover that Ecuador’s journey to the World Cup is one of his earliest memories, dating back to when he was just four. His recollection is vivid, yet he yearns for more depth—hence, in the game, he is portrayed as an eight-year-old. Despelote embodies the memories Cordero wishes he could have.

The game conveys its narrative with an authenticity and nuance that fully immerses the player. Despelote is a brief yet deceptively straightforward first-person narrative experience that can be completed in just a couple of hours. (It’s currently available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, with a Switch release on the horizon.) As Julián, you explore your home, school, and local park, kicking a ball around with friends. You find yourself at a wedding, launching balloons at ceiling fans; listening in on your parents’ conversations; playing hide-and-seek with your sister; and experiencing your mother’s influence as she guides you from one activity to the next.