Dispatch Review – Story‑Heavy Superhero Game from Telltale Veterans

Introduction

Dispatch is the debut title from Ad Hoc Studio, a team composed of industry veterans who previously shaped narrative‑driven experiences at Telltale Games. The game drops players into a superhero‑infused version of Los Angeles, where you assume the role of Robert Robertson, a disgraced hero turned dispatcher for a crisis‑response agency. While the trailers may not have generated much hype, early gameplay reveals a surprisingly engaging blend of story, light strategy, and polished production values.

Game Overview

Dispatch is released episodically, with new chapters arriving weekly. At the time of writing, the player is roughly halfway through the current season, allowing us to assess the experience without spoilers. The game leans heavily on narrative, offering limited traditional gameplay but compensating with a unique dispatch mechanic that adds strategic depth.

Gameplay Mechanics

Core Dispatch System

During certain segments, you take control of Robert’s dispatch console. A city map populates with incoming incidents ranging from bank robberies to cat‑in‑tree rescues. You must assign heroes from a roster, each with distinct stats such as:

• Defense – ideal for protection details
• Agility – suited for infiltration
• Charisma – useful for negotiation or crowd control
• Intelligence – for hacking and tech‑heavy missions

No hero perfectly matches every job, so you’ll often make compromises, balancing effectiveness against cooldowns and injuries.

Hero Development

Successful missions grant experience, allowing heroes to level up and earn skill points. Points can be allocated to improve combat, defenses, or other attributes. Additionally, heroes can unlock abilities like flight (reducing travel time) or passive bonuses that trigger when certain heroes team up.

Mini‑Games

Occasional hacking mini‑games break up the narrative flow. They are simple and enjoyable, provided they don’t become repetitive.

Interaction Model

Unlike classic Telltale titles, Dispatch offers fewer on‑screen interactions. Players watch cutscenes, make occasional dialogue choices, and engage with the dispatch system. Quick‑time events are rare, making the experience more cinematic than interactive.

Story & Narrative

The premise follows Robert, a fallen hero forced into a bureaucratic role. What begins as routine dispatch work quickly spirals into a larger conspiracy, blending the tone of Invincible, Watchmen, and classic Telltale storytelling.

Characters & Voice Acting

• Aaron Paul (known for Breaking Bad) voices Robert, delivering a nuanced, gritty performance that anchors the narrative.
• Laura Bailey, a veteran video‑game voice actor, adds depth to key supporting roles.
• Internet personalities such as Moist Critical provide comic relief, delivering solid performances that avoid feeling gimmicky.

Overall, the voice work is stellar, though occasional over‑use of profanity can feel forced and dated.

Narrative Structure

Each episode ends with a recap of player choices, comparing them to community trends. An extras menu lets you review statistics, revisit past chapters, and explore upcoming content. The only drawback is the lack of separate save slots, forcing overwrites when replaying decisions.

Visuals & Audio

Dispatch boasts a vibrant, comic‑book‑style art direction. The animation is fluid, and major set‑pieces—especially fight sequences—are visually impressive. The sound design complements the aesthetic, with a dynamic score that underscores the superhero atmosphere.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong narrative driven by experienced Telltale talent
• Engaging dispatch mechanic adds strategic variety
• High‑quality voice acting, featuring Aaron Paul and Laura Bailey
• Polished art style with fluid animation
• Episodic structure encourages regular engagement and choice reflection

Cons

• Limited interactivity compared to traditional adventure games
• Sparse save system—no separate slots for replaying decisions
• Occasional forced profanity that feels out of place
• Mini‑games, while fun, could become repetitive if overused

Conclusion

Dispatch delivers a compelling narrative experience that feels like a spiritual successor to Telltale’s best work. While the gameplay is intentionally light—centered on dispatch decisions and occasional mini‑games—the strong story, impressive voice talent, and striking visual design make it a worthwhile title for fans of story‑driven games. The episodic rollout keeps the experience fresh, though the lack of flexible save options may frustrate completionists. Overall, Dispatch exceeds expectations and stands out as a promising debut from Ad Hoc Studio, offering a fresh take on superhero storytelling.