The spirit of classic Telltale Games has been resurrected in Dispatch, a new superhero drama from former Telltale developers that captures the magic of choice-driven storytelling. With all eight episodes now available, this adult-oriented adventure proves that narrative gaming remains in capable hands.
From Telltale's Ashes to AdHoc's Debut
When Telltale Games collapsed in 2018, many feared the end of their distinctive style of episodic adventures. While the Telltale brand was eventually revived, several original developers formed AdHoc Studio, making Dispatch their inaugural project. The connection is immediately apparent in the game's cel-shaded visuals, snappy dialogue, and the familiar notification that a character "will remember that" - a hallmark of Telltale's approach to consequential storytelling.
For veterans of games like The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us, Dispatch feels like coming home. Newcomers familiar with similar narrative experiences like Life Is Strange will find a mature superhero story where player choices shape outcomes across eight distinct episodes released between October 22nd and November 12th, 2025.
A Fallen Hero's Second Chance
The game begins with protagonist Robert Robertson at his lowest point. His Mecha Man superhero identity is destroyed beyond repair in the opening scenes, leaving him without powers or purpose. Having spent his entire fortune maintaining his robotic alter-ego, he publicly resigns only to be recruited by the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN).
This corporate organisation sells superhero protection services while rehabilitating former supervillains. Robert finds himself managing the Phoenix Program, overseeing a team of reformed criminals trying to turn their lives around. The so-called "Z-Team" comprises belligerent, uncooperative characters who frequently ignore orders - creating the perfect setup for a classic misfit redemption story.
Voice acting talent elevates the experience significantly, with Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad's Jesse Pinkman) bringing sardonic charm to Mecha Man and Laura Bailey shining as reforming supervillainess Invisigal. The entire cast delivers performances that make players genuinely care about their team's struggles.
Gameplay: More Than Just Crime Fighting
As a dispatcher, players triage emergency calls and assign heroes based on their unique attributes: combat, charisma, intellect, mobility, and vigour (defence). The job involves more than just fighting crime - players handle everything from lost pets to television debates and school speeches.
Character development plays a crucial role. Heroes gain experience from completed missions, allowing players to allocate single stat points per level. Balancing your team becomes essential for handling diverse emergencies effectively. Someone with high mobility might chase criminals, while intellectual heroes excel at bomb disposal or media appearances.
Players face meaningful decisions beyond mission assignments, including hiring and firing team members and navigating romantic relationships for Robert. The game doesn't shy away from adult content, featuring nudity, brutal bar fights, and sexual innuendo that firmly places it in the 18-rated category.
The Illusion of Choice and Emotional Impact
While Dispatch creates a compelling sense of consequence, experimentation reveals that many choices lead to similar outcomes. Replaying episodes with deliberately opposite decisions shows that key story beats remain largely unchanged. However, during normal play, the illusion of choice proves remarkably effective, enhanced by superb writing and voice performances.
The game focuses on emotional resonance rather than traditional action, featuring great music and numerous cultural references (primarily film-based rather than gaming). Despite occasional clichés and sentimental moments, cynical humour and frequent swearing maintain an appropriately mature tone.
Available on PlayStation 5 and PC for £28.99, Dispatch delivers approximately eight hours of engaging entertainment that successfully continues Telltale's legacy of character-driven storytelling.
