After 13 hours, Dispatch has given me hope that the tell-your-own adventure genre of video games will see a renaissance era

19 Dec 2025, 01:00 · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

Dispatch is no repeat of the tired, mature superhero story, but rather a heartfelt adventure about former villains looking for a second chance. With a cast of lovable characters voiced by an all-star cast, impressive interactive gameplay, and all wrapped in a gorgeous animated art style, AdHoc Studio's debut title is the underdog of the year that has reopened the door that I thought was long closed on the episodic, choice-based narrative genre.

Pros

+Short episodic structure works best for the story it wants to tell
+Incredible animation and art style
+Lovable characters voiced by a talented crew
+Missions and puzzle-solving feel like an evolution of the choice-based genre
+Impactful decision making wrapped in a heartfelt story

Cons

-Only two romance options in a cast of amazing characters
-The game sometimes seems like it wants you to pursue canon choices
-The compelling villain and his history with Robert aren't explored enough

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You would think the concept of a mature superhero story would be played out by now; who has room for yet another ragtag team of outcasts with questionable morals and a habit for swearing, but come together against all odds and become one messed-up found family? And yet, AdHoc Studio's episodic, choice-based narrative game, Dispatch, has proved me wrong.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 22, 2025

Set in an alternate Los Angeles where enhanced individuals, demons, and aliens are the norm, in Dispatch, you play as Robert Robertson, a superhero who goes by the name Mecha Man. But after his mission to take down the supervillain Shroud goes wrong, Robert is forced to take a break from his hero duties.

Feeling dejected and forced into early retirement, he's soon approached by the celebrated hero Blonde Blazer, and in exchange for repairing his suit, Robert joins the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN), an organization aiding the people of LA.

(Image credit: AdHoc Studio)

Tell-your-own-adventure games are so back

AdHoc's first game was created by a team of Telltale Games alumni along with other industry veterans, so it makes sense that it manages to capture the spirit of what made Telltale's stories so memorable in the first place. From the very first episode, I was taken with Dispatch, and it made me realize how much I've missed these interactive stories after their long absence.

With its eight-episode runtime, Dispatch is structured like an animated TV series and looks the part, too, with its remarkable animation and fluid art style that pop like the panels of a comic book. Thankfully, though, this isn't just another run-of-the-mill mature superhero drama that has become popularized these past few years. Yes, it does have the dark humor and violence that are typically present in these stories, but this game manages to successfully set itself apart from shows like Invincible, The Boys, or Peacemaker by being original enough.

Dispatch is workplace comedy and also a redemption story at its core. But it's not Robert who is looking for it; rather, the team he is forced to take under his wing.

At the SDN, it's Robert's job as a dispatcher to oversee the Z-Team, a group of former villains and anti-heroes that have been recruited to do some good. There's drama, rivalry, and some hilarious interactions to be found with this bunch, as well as frequent sex jokes, but at its core, Dispatch tells a sincere story about second chances and proving to yourself that you're more than your past mistakes.

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