Welcome to the chaotic, bureaucratic, and surprisingly heartfelt world of Dispatch. From AdHoc Studio—a team founded by veterans from Telltale Games—comes a masterfully crafted episodic adventure that blends the high stakes of a superhero universe with the mundane hilarity of a workplace comedy. If you've ever wondered what happens behind the capes, who files the paperwork on a super-brawl, or who has to manage the egos of B-list heroes, this is the game for you. It's a game that swaps the cape for a headset, proving that the toughest battles are often fought over the phone.
About the Game
Dispatch is a single-player, narrative-driven strategy game set in modern-day Los Angeles. It unfolds over eight episodes, released in pairs, creating a weekly, TV-show-like cadence that keeps the tension and story momentum high. You play as Robert Robertson, a man who knows the highs and lows of the hero business all too well. Once the celebrated Mecha Man, Robert is now a washed-up, powerless, and suit-less hero forced to take a desk job to make ends meet. His new gig? A dispatcher at the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN), a private company that manages a roster of... problematic... super-powered individuals. These aren't the A-listers; they're ex-villains, misfits, and loose cannons given one last shot at redemption (or, at least, a steady paycheck). The game brilliantly marries the choice-based dialogue and character relationship mechanics of classics like The Wolf Among Us with a surprisingly deep, tactical management sim. Every decision you make, from breakroom banter to life-or-death deployment orders, shapes the story, your relationships, and the fate of the city.
The Story: From Hero to Zero (and then to Middle-Management)
The game kicks off with a bang. As Mecha Man, you are lured into a devastating trap by your nemesis, Shroud, which results in the total destruction of your high-tech mecha suit. This single event sends your life into a tailspin. Powerless, broke, and desperate, you are rescued by the impeccably corporate Blonde Blazer, who offers you a lifeline: a job at the SDN. In exchange, the company will fund the repairs for your suit. This is the core narrative hook. You are forced to work as a dispatcher, managing a team of dysfunctional ex-villains you'd normally be fighting. All the while, you are secretly working to rebuild your suit and track down your father's killer. This dual life creates fantastic narrative tension. By day, you're Robert, the beleaguered dispatcher, navigating office politics, placating your boss, and trying to keep your team from killing each other. By night (or, more accurately, in your downtime), you're a man on a mission, chasing leads and grappling with your thirst for revenge. The story is brought to life by a truly all-star cast. Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) voices the protagonist, Robert Robertson, perfectly capturing his world-weary frustration. He's joined by industry legends like Jeffrey Wright (Westworld), Laura Bailey (The Last of Us II), Matthew Mercer (Critical Role), and Travis Willingham (Critical Role), alongside a massive lineup of online personalities including Jacksepticeye, MoistCr1TiKaL, and Alanah Pearce. This incredible voice talent elevates the already-sharp writing into a genuinely laugh-out-loud and emotionally resonant experience.
Gameplay: The Telltale Formula Evolved
Dispatch is not just an interactive movie; it’s a game of two distinct, interwoven parts.Narrative & Relationships
True to its Telltale-lineage, a huge part of the game is managing dialogue. You will navigate complex conversations with your team, your boss, and other characters. Your choices in these dialogue trees have real consequences. They affect your relationships, your team's morale, and the branching path of the story. Do you stick to the company script, or do you go off-book to help one of your heroes with a personal problem? Do you romance a colleague or keep it strictly professional? These choices are not just black and white; they're messy, human, and often have unforeseen ripple effects.The Dispatcher's Map
This is the game's unique strategic core. You are presented with a tactical map of Los Angeles, buzzing with emergencies, from cat-in-a-tree mishaps to full-blown supervillain attacks. Your job is to deploy your heroes. The catch? You don't always know what the mission requires. You'll get a report based on vibes and have to make a call. Each of your heroes has a set of stats, abilities, quirks, and flaws. One might be a powerhouse but terrible at sneaking. Another might be a lone wolf who gets a penalty when paired up. You must match the right hero (or wrong hero) to the job. Success isn't guaranteed. Once you deploy, the game reveals the mission's required stats. Your chosen hero's stats create a victory zone on a-la Peggle or roulette style mini-game. If the ball lands in your zone, it's a success. This system is surprisingly deep, forcing you to learn your team's strengths and weaknesses and strategically level them up to improve their odds.
Themes & Atmosphere
Dispatch absolutely nails its superhero workplace comedy tone. The writing is whip-smart, genuinely funny, and packed with clever jokes that land. But beneath the humor, it explores themes of failure, redemption, and what it really means to be a hero when you're not the one in the spotlight. The game's visual style is a vibrant, high-production-value animated series. It avoids the Telltale jank of old, with fluid animations and expressive characters that look like they're straight out of a premium comic book. The sound design is top-notch, with the stellar voice acting backed by a memorable score that perfectly balances the comedic and dramatic beats. It’s a game that looks as good as it sounds, and it sounds incredible.
