Dispatch Review: Critical Role and AdHoc land critical hit

Story games come and (mostly) go, but the Telltale-style story game is seeing a revival. Dispatch, the episodic adventure game from AdHoc Studio, takes the superhero genre and adds writing that makes the characters feel real. Characters speak like real people and react believably. Remember the name Dispatch, because you might see this on many “Game of the Year” lists in the near future. Before you dismiss Dispatch as another QTE-fest or boring story game, hear me out.

About ‘Dispatch’

“Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter,” the game’s Steam listing says, but the story puts a human with no powers front and center.

You play as Robert Robertson III, aka Mecha Man. Robertson is the third-generation Mecha Man. No powers to be had; only a mech suit. What is a superhero without their powers or suit? Dispatch heavily explores this concept.

The game starts with the downfall of Mecha Man and Robertson himself. While down-and-out, an old friend reaches out to Robertson with an opportunity: a job with the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN). Being a dispatcher means leading a team of heroes and picking what missions and team-ups are necessary to stop crime. The only problem? You’re taking over Z-Team — the worst team at SDN — and they’re all former villains. Not only do players have to mold this team of villain misfits into a team of heroes, but you’ve got to earn their respect through it all.

Through continued in-game choices, you shape your team as well as the overarching story. Will you rise above and prove you are a true hero, or will you succumb to vengeance while trying to catch your father’s killer? I won’t go into heavy detail, but the story really sticks the landing. Your ending may look different based on your gameplay, but my ending really cemented how great the writing is. It just feels so human.

‘Dispatch’ Gameplay

The gameplay loop is the same as most Telltale games, and for good reason: Dispatch‘s AdHoc Studio was formed in 2018 following four developers’ departure from the now-defunct The Wolf Among Us studio.

The game doesn’t mind overwhelming you early to show you that this isn’t your team. You have to earn their respect through your actions in the story. You are the guy in the chair, and you also have hacking abilities to help your team and the city.

Players watch the story unfold as they make choices and try to complete QTEs, or Quick Time Events. Dispatch adds more to the formula with the dispatcher mini-game, where gamers send their team on missions and pray for their success. Why pray? Well, sometimes your team will do whatever they feel like doing, despite your orders.

Completing missions will level up your heroes and allow you to allocate stat points. Do your supers need some practice? Have them undergo training to learn new skills and gain special team-up abilities.

Art, Acting, and Audio

Dispatch is a great way to see what it looks like when a dev team is firing on all cylinders and striking gold the whole way through. From the art direction and character design to voice acting and music, Dispatch stands tall in every category.

The game looks like a 3D animated Netflix Original. Characters don’t look like DC or Marvel rip-offs; they have unique looks that don’t feel generic.

As far as VAs go, Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul needs to be in every “Best Performance” conversation this awards season. Paul’s acting makes Robert Robertson III feel like a living and breathing person.

The title’s original and licensed music stand out. Dispatch‘s Episode 2 ending with “POUND CAKE” by THOT SQUAD, then later having the character she voices perform her own song during a bar brawl, was a great use of licensed music.

Final Thoughts

Critical Role and AdHoc really made something special in a genre that’s gotten stale. If superhero fatigue is real, then Dispatch is the cure.

The characters in this game will stick with you well after you put it down. You will wish to see more of your hated, lovable Z-Team. You can tell love and care were poured into this hit.

In a great year for gaming, Dispatch stands tall. Don’t dismiss it because you don’t like the formula; think of it as an interactive motion comic. Open your mind and enjoy one of the year’s best stories. A lot of heart and strong writing should put this on your Sonar—ope, sorry, your radar.

Dispatch is a must-play for anyone still rooting for the superhero genre.