Dispatch Review: When Saving the City Means Managing Misfit Heroes

A Superhero Story About Everything but Hero Work

In Dispatch, you don’t play the caped crusader flying through the skies—you play the one taking their calls. Developed and published by AdHoc Studio, the game launched on October 22, 2025, across major platforms including Steam and PlayStation 5, and quickly earned a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 87% of players recommending it.

The premise? A blend of superhero satire, workplace comedy, and branching narrative design that feels straight out of a Telltale game—but with a clever twist. You’re not saving the world directly; you’re managing the people who do.

From Hero to Dispatcher: The Setup

You step into the role of Robert Robertson, better known as Mecha Man, a once-celebrated hero whose mech-suit was destroyed in a fateful battle with his nemesis. Instead of repairing his legacy, he’s forced into a desk job at a superhero dispatch center, managing a ragtag crew of rehabilitated ex-supervillains.

Each mission forces you to make tough calls—who to send, who to trust, and what to prioritize—while juggling inter-office drama, romantic tension, and your personal journey toward redemption.

What starts as a lighthearted parody of superhero bureaucracy slowly unfolds into something much deeper, touching on themes of identity, purpose, and second chances.

Gameplay: Choices That Echo Beyond the Office

At its core, Dispatch is a choice-driven management simulator fused with narrative adventure elements. The gameplay revolves around a strategy map where ongoing emergencies pop up around the city. Your job? Select which team of heroes to send, weighing their unique strengths, weaknesses, and sometimes volatile personalities.

Every decision—whether it’s assigning a reckless powerhouse to a delicate hostage situation or sending a retired villain on a PR stunt—has consequences that ripple through future episodes.

These micro-decisions shape not just the missions, but also the personal relationships between characters, altering dialogue, alliances, and story outcomes.

The Telltale Legacy Is Alive and Well

For fans of The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, or Batman: The Telltale Series, Dispatch feels like a natural evolution. The branching narrative structure, moral gray choices, and emphasis on character-driven storytelling bring back that familiar Telltale energy—something fans have missed for years.

One Steam reviewer summed it up best:

“This is like a Telltale Invincible game we never got. The writing is sharp, and the mix between 2D and 3D visuals gives it a cinematic punch.”

AdHoc Studio, composed of former Telltale veterans, doesn’t hide its inspirations—and that’s a good thing. The pacing, dialogue choices, and episodic storytelling feel like a spiritual continuation of what made those narrative games unforgettable.

An All-Star Cast That Steals the Show

If there’s one area where Dispatch absolutely shines, it’s the voice cast. AdHoc went above and beyond, pulling in some of the biggest names across games, film, and online entertainment:

• Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Westworld)
• Laura Bailey (The Last of Us II, Marvel’s Spider-Man)
• Erin Yvette (Hades II, The Wolf Among Us)
• Travis Willingham (Critical Role, Lego Avengers)
• Matthew Mercer (Overwatch, Resident Evil 6)
• Jeffrey Wright (The Batman, Casino Royale)
• Plus surprise appearances from Jacksepticeye, MoistCr1TiKaL, Alanah Pearce, and Yung Gravy

It’s an almost surreal ensemble that merges YouTubers, Hollywood actors, and veteran voice performers into one cohesive narrative experience. Reviewers on both Steam and PlayStation praised the voice acting as “top-tier,” with performances that elevate even the quieter office moments.

Writing That Balances Humor and Humanity

Despite the comedic setup, Dispatch doesn’t lean too heavily on parody. The humor feels organic—rooted in character personalities rather than cheap jokes. The dialogue is smart, self-aware, and often heartfelt.

Moments of absurd office banter quickly give way to quiet reflections on failure, trauma, and rebuilding one’s identity.

One fan review perfectly captured that tone:

“We joke, we laugh, we suppress our trauma.”

It’s a witty line that sums up the entire game. Underneath its bright comic-book visuals, Dispatch explores what it means to be human in a world full of gods and monsters.

Visuals and Art Direction

Dispatch sports a hybrid 2D-meets-3D art style that feels fresh and cinematic. Characters are stylized but expressive, and the environments—ranging from office cubicles to chaotic cityscapes—strike a nice balance between realism and cartoon flair.

Animations are fluid, transitions between dialogue and gameplay are seamless, and the UI design feels inspired by futuristic operator dashboards. It’s visually engaging without ever becoming cluttered.

The Flaws: Short Episodes, Long Waits

For all its brilliance, Dispatch isn’t without issues. The biggest complaint among early players is its episodic release model. At launch, only the first two episodes are available, each lasting roughly an hour.

While the storytelling is strong, many players felt the pacing too short to fully explore the characters or see the impact of their decisions. One reviewer compared the experience to:

“Buying a book and realizing 75% of the pages are locked until next week.”

There’s also a divide in expectations. Story-focused players call it a 9/10 experience for its writing and characters. But those expecting deeper management mechanics rate it closer to 5/10, citing limited interactivity beyond dialogue and dispatch decisions.

Still, AdHoc has confirmed that more episodes are coming soon, and given the narrative potential, the wait may well be worth it.

System Requirements (PC)

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel i5-6402p / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD RX 560
• Storage: 25 GB

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel i5-7400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 / AMD RX 580
• Storage: 25 GB

Community Reception

At the time of writing, Dispatch holds:

• 87% “Very Positive” rating on Steam (735+ reviews)
• 4.93/5 average on PlayStation (584+ ratings)

Players consistently highlight the emotional writing, cinematic presentation, and stellar performances. The only major criticisms revolve around episode length and value for price—with many suggesting waiting for the full season release if you prefer a complete experience.

Final Verdict

Dispatch succeeds in turning superhero fatigue into something refreshingly human. It’s a game about broken people trying to do good in both extraordinary and mundane ways. The mix of strong writing, dynamic performances, and moral complexity make it one of the most memorable narrative experiences of the year.

It’s not perfect—short episodes and limited gameplay variety might frustrate some—but Dispatch still proves that the Telltale spirit isn’t dead. It’s just clocking in for a new kind of shift.

Score: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Verdict: A brilliantly written, emotionally grounded superhero management drama that deserves your attention—just maybe wait for more episodes before jumping in.

FAQ: Dispatch Video Game

Q1: What is Dispatch?
Dispatch is a superhero workplace management game where players make story-driven choices as they oversee a team of flawed heroes and ex-villains. It combines comedy, drama, and strategic decision-making.

Q2: What is the Dispatch video game release date?
The game officially launched on October 22, 2025.

Q3: Who are the main voice actors and cast members?
The cast includes Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Matthew Mercer, Jeffrey Wright, Jacksepticeye, MoistCr1TiKaL, Alanah Pearce, and more.

Q4: Is Dispatch available on PS5?
Yes. Dispatch is available on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), with potential future console ports under consideration.

Q5: What is the price of Dispatch?
The game is currently priced around $29 USD on PlayStation and $9.44 for the base version on steam (introductory sale price at launch), though this may vary by region and platform.

Q6: What kind of characters appear in the game?
You’ll manage a cast of ex-supervillains, misfit heroes, and eccentric co-workers, each with unique abilities, flaws, and personal stories.

Q7: How many episodes does Dispatch have?
At launch, two episodes are available, with more scheduled to release in the coming months.

Q8: Where can I find more Dispatch video game news and updates?
Follow the official AdHoc Studio channels or check the game’s Steam and PlayStation Store pages for patch notes and new episode announcements.

Summary

Dispatch is equal parts chaos and charm—a game that proves you don’t need superpowers to tell a super story. Whether you’re drawn by its cinematic storytelling or its star-studded voice cast, there’s a lot to love here. Just be prepared to wait between episodes, because saving the city—apparently—takes some paperwork too.