Dispatch (video game)

Last updated
Dispatch
Dispatch game poster.jpg
Developer AdHoc Studio [a]
Publisher AdHoc Studio
Directors
  • Nick Herman
  • Dennis Lenart
  • Chris Rebbert
Producer
  • Natalie Herman
Designer
  • Charles Marcolim
Programmer
  • Seth Kingsley
Artist
  • Derek Stratton
Writers
  • Pierre Shorette
  • Suzee Matson
  • Ashley Jeffalone
Composer Andrew Arcadi [b]
Engine Unreal Engine 4
Platforms
ReleaseOctober 22, 2025
Episodes 1–2
  • PS5, Windows
    • WW: October 22, 2025
Episodes 3–4
  • PS5, Windows
    • WW: October 29, 2025
Episodes 5–6
  • PS5, Windows
    • WW: November 5, 2025
Episodes 7–8
  • PS5, Windows
    • WW: November 12, 2025
Genres Adventure
Interactive film
Management sim
Mode Single-player

Dispatch is an episodic adventure game developed by AdHoc Studio. The game consists of eight episodes, with the first two released on PlayStation 5 and Windows on October 22, 2025. The remaining episodes are set to be released in weekly pairs, concluding on November 12, 2025.

Contents

Described as a superhero workplace comedy, Dispatch has the player take the role of Robert Robertson, formerly the superhero Mecha Man, who has to take a job as a dispatcher for villains-turned-superheroes after his signature mecha suit is destroyed in battle. [1] Its cast most notably includes the voices of Aaron Paul, Jeffrey Wright, Erin Yvette, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham and Matthew Mercer, as well as content creators Jacksepticeye, MoistCr1TiKaL, Joel Haver and Alanah Pearce.

Gameplay

Dialogue trees are used for in-game conversations. Dispatch dialogue tree example.jpg
Dialogue trees are used for in-game conversations.

Dispatch is an adventure video game, where the player's choices affect the story via the use of dialogue trees in conversations with other characters. A large form of the gameplay consists of navigating a superhero team across the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN) map to crimes and events, where the player must strategically decide which hero or heroes best fit the activity based on their stats and character traits, while also managing their cooldowns. The game also features a hacking mini-game, where the player must quickly navigate pathways and complete quick time events. [2]

Plot

This is a broad overview of the plot. Certain decisions made by the player will alter details of specific events.

Episode 1: Pivot
In Los Angeles, California, Robert Robertson III, is a third-generation superhero without powers, dubbed "Mecha Man." In an attempt to track down his father's killer, Shroud, Robert is lured into a trap by his henchman, Toxic, where his mech suit sustains heavy damage in an ambush before an explosion totals it, resulting in Robert retiring from superhero work indefinitely. After failing to stop a robbery without his suit, Robert is rescued by Blonde Blazer, a corporate superhero who offers him a job at her company, the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN), as a dispatcher. In exchange, SDN will fund the repairs needed to restore his suit. She shows him a simulation of the job experience and he accepts.

Episode 2: Onboard
Robert starts his first day at SDN where he reunites with Track Star, an old family friend who has retired and now goes by the name Chase. Blonde Blazer and Chase introduce Robert to his team, the Z-Team, a group of former villains seeking redemption through the Phoenix Program. Robert begins dispatching, but the team doesn't take him seriously. A mishap occurs when Invisigal disobeys a direct order from Robert during a mission, resulting in an explosion that injures an innocent bystander, and allows the perpetrator, Thunderstruck, to get away. This leads to a heated argument between Robert and Invisigal, with him disregarding her as a hero. After discussions with Blonde Blazer and Chase who express low expectations, Robert believes they should give him the opportunity to earn their respect. Blonde Blazer agrees to fully introduce the team to him before leaving with her boyfriend, Phenomaman.

Episode 3: Turnover
With the help of SDN's mechanic, Royd, Robert moves his mech suit to SDN headquarters to begin repairs. Robert then meets with Blonde Blazer to learn that she has broken up with Phenomaman. She also reveals that Robert must cut one member from the Z-Team by the end of the day. Because of this news, team members begin sabotaging each other during missions, complicating Robert's dispatching efforts. A motivational meeting helps improve teamwork, but Invisigal eventually quits. Robert finds her at a playground, encouraging her to believe in herself. With Robert's help, she successfully captures the villain Thunderstruck, which helps her rise in the team ranks. Robert then has to make the difficult decision of cutting either Coupé or Sonar.

Episode 4: Restructure
Invisigal has a sexual dream about Robert, sparking a potential connection while Robert deals with unhappy Z-Team members after the recent termination decision. Blonde Blazer seeks Robert's help with talking to a depressed Phenomaman, who expresses a lack of understanding about their breakup. Later, Invisigal approaches Robert in the bathroom, confessing her feelings for him, before being interrupted. Robert then has the decision to add either Waterboy or Phenomaman to the team. At the end of the tumultuous workday with the newly added member, Robert has the choice of joining Invisigal on a movie date or joining Blonde Blazer on a late-night dinner date on the lot of the SDN headquarters.

Cast and characters

Jenn An, Billy Christos Jr., Brian Dobson, Liv Hamilton, Isaac Jay, Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Kelly Sheridan, Vincent Tong, and Sam Vincent all provide additional voices to the game. [3]

Development

The game was developed by AdHoc Studio, a team made up of former Telltale Games developers that worked on The Walking Dead , The Wolf Among Us , and Tales from the Borderlands . The project was initially envisioned to be live action, and the team was inspired by This Is SportsCenter commercials from ESPN. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was shut down, and the studio's attention pivoted to other games such as The Wolf Among Us 2 . The project eventually was repurposed into Dispatch. [4]

The game was announced on December 12, 2024, at The Game Awards. The game features an ensemble cast consisting of Aaron Paul, Jeffrey Wright, Laura Bailey, Erin Yvette, Travis Willingham, Matthew Mercer, Seán McLoughlin (jacksepticeye), Charlie White (MoistCr1TiKaL), Alanah Pearce, Joel Haver, Lance Cantstopolis, Thot Squad, and Yung Gravy. [5] [6]

A demo for the game was released on May 29, 2025, to overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews and was featured in the 2025 Tribeca Festival. [6]

On July 21, 2025, Critical Role Productions announced a partnership with AdHoc Studio for Dispatch merchandise, tabletop gaming, and an animated series. The partnership also included AdHoc co-developing a new game set in the Critical Role universe. [7]

On September 16, 2025, it was announced the game would be released in weekly intervals beginning on October 22 and ending on November 12, 2025. A deluxe edition was also announced that would come with a digital artbook and four digital comics in addition to the main game. [8]

Episodes

The game is separated into eight episodes. [9]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Pivot"Nick Herman
Dennis Lenart
Pierre Shorette
Mayanna Berrin
October 22, 2025 (2025-10-22)
Robert Robertson, AKA Mecha Man, tracks down his father's killer and things take an unexpected turn.
2"Onboard"Nick Herman
Dennis Lenart
Pierre Shorette
Mayanna Berrin
Suzee Matson
Chad Rhiness
October 22, 2025 (2025-10-22)
Robert starts his first day at the Superhero Dispatch Network and meets the Z-Team.
3"Turnover"Dennis LenartSuzee Matson
Pierre Shorette
Mayanna Berrin
Ashley Jeffalone
Chad Rhiness
October 29, 2025 (2025-10-29)
Robert is informed he needs to cut one member of the Z-Team.
4"Restructure"Nick HermanAshley Jeffalone
Mayanna Berrin
Suzee Matson
Chad Rhiness
Pierre Shorette
October 29, 2025 (2025-10-29)
After cutting a member of the team, Robert has to deal with the consequences and choose a new member.
5"Team Building"Dennis Lenart
Chris Rebbert
TBANovember 5, 2025 (2025-11-05)
TBA
6"Moving Parts"Chris RebbertTBANovember 5, 2025 (2025-11-05)
TBA
7"Retrospective"TBATBANovember 12, 2025 (2025-11-12)
TBA
8"Synergy"TBATBANovember 12, 2025 (2025-11-12)
TBA

Reception

Critical reception

Dispatch's critical reception was "generally favorable", according to review aggregator website Metacritic, receiving a score of 84/100 based on 5 critic reviews. [10]

Notes

  1. Additional work by Igloo Studio
  2. Additional music by Skyler Barto
  3. Credited under his legal name, Charles White
  4. Credited under his legal name, Seán McLoughlin
  5. Credited as Matthew "Yung Gravy" Hauri
  6. Credited as Harvey aka Thot Squad

References

  1. Williams, Hayley (December 12, 2024). "Aaron Paul Stars In Superhero Workplace Comedy Game Dispatch". GameSpot . Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  2. Randall, Harvey (June 11, 2025). "Dispatch is the first Telltale-style game I've played that's delivering on the promise of playing a TV show, and it's even got a compelling management sim tucked inside, too". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  3. Khan, Titas (October 27, 2025). "All voice actors in Dispatch". Dot Esports . Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  4. Manchester, Austin (July 9, 2025). "How Dispatch survived COVID-19 and evolved into a familiar Telltale-like game". Polygon . Archived from the original on July 27, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  5. Stedman, Alex (December 13, 2024). "Dispatch Is a Star-Studded New Game With Aaron Paul, Jeffrey Wright, Laura Bailey, and More - The Game Awards 2024". IGN . Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Dispatch Directors Reveal Star-Studded Cast Additions at Tribeca Festival". GamesPress.com (Press release). June 11, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  7. Spangler, Todd (July 21, 2025). "Critical Role to Start Development on Their First Video Game in Partnership With AdHoc Studio (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  8. McCaffrey, Ryan (September 16, 2025). "Dispatch, the Superhero Comedy from Ex-Telltale Devs, Confirms PC + PS5 Release Date and Episodic Release". IGN. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  9. Kawanishi, Paulo (October 22, 2025). "What is the Dispatch episode release schedule?". Polygon . Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  10. "Dispatch Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2025-11-02.