Dispatch (Episodes 1 and 2) Review – Telltale’s Legacy Reborn

Dispatch Review – Episodes 1 and 2

Telltale Games dominated the interactive narrative scene throughout the 2010s, with each release capturing the spirit of its source material while expanding those worlds in meaningful ways. After the studio’s shocking collapse, much of the team splintered off to form Adhoc Studios. Their first release, Dispatch, doesn’t just aim to pick up where Telltale left off; it strives to evolve the formula. Based on the first two episodes, I think they’ve done exactly that.

Mecha Man is a renowned generational hero; his father fought for peace, and his grandfather before him. With such a legacy behind him, it was only natural that he followed in their footsteps. Though his heart is in the right place, he lacks any real powers, relying entirely on his mechanical suit to face down threats. After a brutal battle leaves the suit severely damaged, he’s forced to hang up his robotic boots early. Lost and directionless, he soon stumbles upon an unexpected new path: a desk job.

Saving the Day From Behind a Desk

You take on the role of the man behind the heroes – the Dispatcher. Your job is to assign missions to a ragtag team of misfits, including reformed villains, as crimes pop up across your screen. Each mission calls for a specific skill set, so you’ll need to evaluate your team’s personalities and choose the right candidate for the job. Understanding your crew is crucial, as their traits directly impact mission success. But it’s not just about picking the right hero; unexpected hazards can arise mid-mission, forcing you to make quick decisions on how your team should respond.

It’s a fascinating system that seamlessly intertwines story and gameplay while placing choice at the forefront. During these segments, you hear character banter as you decide who’s right for the job or try to complete minigames. This keeps the narrative at the forefront throughout, which keeps you invested. This and other simple gameplay mechanics are dotted throughout. While there’s an option to disable Quick Time Events, I actually preferred keeping them on as they add a welcome layer of immersion. Since you don’t directly control a character, gameplay largely revolves around these moments, and they’re all executed well.

Fast, Fun and Full of Personality

As you’re not ambling through the environment in search of items to interact with, this allows for Adhoc Studios to dictate the pace and they do this masterfully. With each episode running just under an hour, every story in Dispatch feels like a thrilling ride from start to finish, free from any filler content. Its television-style format, releasing two episodes weekly, offers a refreshing approach that breathes new life into a dormant genre. If these first installments are any indication, Dispatch is paving the way forward.

Each character you is brimming with personality, adding a lovely, tumultuous layer to conversations. The writing is brilliant with hilarious lines that will have you belly laughing throughout. While the dialogue is sharp and witty, the stellar cast adds life to the lines to create memorable and remarkable performances that make the story deeply engaging. Aaron Paul takes on the lead role and perfectly captures the notion of a man who is struggling to cope with his forced change in circumstance. While standoffish and frustrated, there’s a warmth to his performance that helps you form a connection with the protagonist.

The style and presentation are fantastic. Each character model is beautifully rendered and animated, giving the cast a real sense of life. There’s a level of polish here that was often missing from Telltale’s earlier work, helping Dispatch stand shoulder to shoulder with television titans like Invincible, a clear influence in its sharp, mature storytelling. While the game leans into familiar tropes and pays homage to the genre, it’s remarkable how fresh everything feels. The combination of flawed characters, stellar writing, and a gripping premise makes for a truly enthralling experience.

A Heroic New Direction

Dispatch Episodes 1 and 2 make for the perfect launch of this superhero workplace comedy. The sharp, well-written dialogue delivers plenty of hilarious moments that’ll keep you laughing throughout. While gameplay is limited, what’s here is thoughtful and engaging, seamlessly blending story and interactivity. Though elements of the classic Telltale formula remain, Adhoc has refined them into a well-paced adventure that leaves me genuinely excited for what’s next. With new episodes dropping in pairs each week, the road ahead looks bright.

***A PS5 code was provided for this review***