Managing Heroes One Emergency at a Time with Dispatch 

“Heroes don’t start fights, they finish them” – Robert Robertson III, Dispatch, Episode 5

Have you ever imagined yourself as a dispatcher for emergency situations? In real life, dispatchers deploy police officers, firefighters, and ambulance crews when they are needed most. In this game, however, dispatchers deploy heroes—and not just any heroes, but a chaotic crew of reformed villains trying to save the day.

Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy game where every decision matters and choices ripple through the story. Players step into the role of a dispatcher tasked with managing a dysfunctional team of misfit villains turned heroes. Your job is to strategize who to send to emergencies around the city, all while navigating office politics, building personal relationships with your team, and pursuing your own dream of becoming a hero. The premise blends the high stakes of emergency response with the humor and drama of workplace dynamics, creating a unique narrative experience.

The game is created by AdHoc Studio, an indie team founded by former Telltale Games developers who worked on acclaimed choice-driven titles such as The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us. With this pedigree behind it, Dispatch brings that same DNA of impactful storytelling and meaningful player agency to the superhero genre.

From hero to dispatcher 

The story opens with Robert Robertson III (voiced by Aaron Paul), better known by his heroic persona as Mecha Man—a powerless hero whose legacy was built on protecting the citizens of Los Angeles. The game wastes no time throwing players into action as Robert interrogates a villain, desperate to learn the whereabouts of his father’s killer, Shroud (Matthew Mercer). After extracting the information he needs from the lackey, Robert fights his way through guards in a tense hideout sequence, only to confront the villain he interrogated earlier.

The villain reveals himself as Toxic (Jared Goldstein), and a brutal fight ensues. But this was all a setup orchestrated by Shroud. Mecha Man is then ambushed, and though he escapes, a bomb has been attached to his suit. Four months later, the consequences become clear: Robert announces the indefinite retirement of Mecha Man in a somber press conference. The suit has been damaged beyond repair and its power source, the Astral Pulse, is missing; leaving him without his heroic identity.

After the press conference, Robert finds himself outside a convenience store watching the news broadcast of his own retirement. Suddenly, a group of teens storms in to rob the store. Despite still recovering from his injuries, Robert intervenes but without his suit, he’s overpowered and beaten by the bandits. That’s when Blonde Blazer (Erin Yvette) steps in to help him. The two head to a hero bar afterward, where they get acquainted over drinks and conversation.

Their pleasant chat is interrupted when Blonde Blazer excuses herself to the restroom and Flambae (Lance Cantstopolis) approaches Robert. The flaming hero hurls insults, mocking Robert for no longer being Mecha Man. Here, players can make a choice: either pour alcohol or water on Flambae. This seemingly small decision has immediate consequences as Flambae loses either his eyebrows or a tooth depending on your choice. The scene also introduces other heroes in the bar: Coupé (Mayanna Berrin) and Punch Up (Seán McLoughlin), who are arrived with Flambae.

After the incident, Robert is kicked out of the bar by the bartender for causing a scene. He waits outside for Blonde Blazer, who eventually takes him to a quiet spot up above a signage where they can talk privately. She reveals that a family friend of Robert’s recommended him for a position at the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN) as a dispatcher. To test his skills, she has him complete a trial dispatch call on the spot. Impressed with his performance, she tells him to meet with SDN officially. Robert accepts the offer, marking the beginning of his new career.

The next day at SDN headquarters, Robert meets Waterboy (Joel Haver), a nervous applicant interviewing for the janitor position. Robert helps him fix his tie, and Waterboy explains how his water-based powers work in an endearing, awkward exchange. Blonde Blazer soon arrives and pulls Robert aside to explain the culture at SDN: most employees are former heroes, and it’s crucial that Robert keeps his identity as Mecha Man a secret. He changes out of his hero clothes into a dispatcher uniform, but as he’s undressing, an invisible figure swipes his hero clothes and dashes away.

This figure is revealed to be Invisigal (Laura Bailey), one of the heroes in SDN’s Phoenix Program; a rehabilitation initiative for reformed villains. After this surprising encounter, Blonde Blazer gives Robert a tour of the office. During a restroom break, he meets Royd (Tanoai Reed), an engineer who immediately recognizes him as Mecha Man. Royd casually mentions that he’ll be the one to repair Robert’s damaged suit, adding another layer of intrigue to Robert’s new life.

The tour continues as Blonde Blazer introduces Robert to Chase (Jeffrey Wright), who enthusiastically hugs him. Robert is confused until Chase strikes a runner’s pose—then it clicks. This is Trackstar, the youngest member of his late father’s legendary hero team, the Brave Brigades. Chase explains that his super speed powers have aged him prematurely, making him look much older than he actually is.

Finally, Robert is introduced to his team: the Z-Team, a ragtag group of reforming villains who are learning to become heroes. This dysfunctional crew will be Robert’s responsibility to manage, setting the stage for the comedy, drama, and tough choices that define Dispatch.

Defining the Z-team’s dynamics, powers and skill assets

It’s important to note that in managing the Z-Team, players must understand who works best with whom. These duo dynamics aren’t just suggestions—they’re essential to Robert’s success in certain missions. Dispatch makes team composition a core gameplay mechanic, where sending the right people can mean the difference between saving the day and creating an even bigger disaster.

Each hero brings unique abilities and personality quirks that either complement or clash with their teammates. Robert quickly discovers that some duos bring out the best in his misfit heroes, creating synergies that multiply their effectiveness, while poorly matched pairs can lead to failure, property damage, or worse.

Flambae and Prism (Thot Squad) are a fun duo as Flambae’s volatile fire powers balances Prism’s light-based abilities. Their dynamic showcases how even the most difficult personalities can work together effectively when properly managed and deployed to the right situations. 

While Invisigal and Golem’s pairing demonstrates how contrasting power sets—stealth and invisibility versus raw strength and durability can complement each other brilliantly when facing different types of threats. Invisigal, though often likes to work alone, works better with Golem (Yung Gravy) as in some missions, Golem can occupy slots that weren’t occupied by other heroes. 

Sonar and Malevola (voiced by Charles White Jr. and Alanah Pearce respectively) share one of the deepest bonds on the team as they’re not just colleagues, but close friends with a history that extends beyond SDN. Their complementary skills and existing chemistry make them effective on missions that require coordination, trust, and seamless teamwork between partners.

What makes their dynamic particularly meaningful is that Malevola serves as Sonar’s Narcotics Anonymous (NA) sponsor, adding a layer of vulnerability and mutual support to their dynamic. This relationship goes beyond typical hero teamwork as Malevola is actively invested in Sonar’s recovery and well-being. She also plays a crucial role in making sure that Sonar’s hyperbat form stays in control during missions, acting as both a tactical partner and a grounding presence when his powers threaten to overwhelm him. 

Whereas, Coupé and Punch Up’s dynamic brings its own unique strengths to the field, combining mobility, combat prowess, and vigor stats that make them formidable together. However, their relationship has a fascinating and unconventional backstory revealed in one of the game’s comics.

During her criminal career, Coupé killed over 68 people working for the Mob, maintaining a perfect success rate as an assassin. She was confident, precise, and deadly. That all changed when she was sent to assassinate Punch Up, an encounter that would alter the course of her life. As she approached what she believed would be her 69th kill, she reminisced about her flawless record: 68 kills, zero failures.

She found Punch Up watching Swan Lake while crying and eating a bucket of ice cream. He couldn’t find the remote to change the channel and was too depressed to get out of his chair to look for it. When he noticed Coupé sneaking up behind him with a knife, he commented on how it must be fate for her to be there, since her old costume was reminiscent of a ballerina. She then attempted to stab him immediately after this observation, but her blade couldn’t penetrate Punch Up’s incredibly dense body structure. A fight ensued, which unexpectedly led to the two of them having intercourse and marked the first time Coupé ever failed to assassinate a target.

This bizarre encounter sparked a romantic relationship between the unlikely pair. Though their romance eventually ended, they remained close friends even after joining SDN. This history adds an intriguing layer to their dynamic. 

Tough Calls Must Be Made

In Dispatch, players make decisions that define Robert’s leadership, his identity as a hero, and how he handles relationships with the people he cares about. Some of these choices will later reflect whether the player successfully became a good mentor to the Z-Team or to Invisigal specifically. Other routes will reveal if your decisions pushed your heroes back toward villainy or if Robert himself became an anti-hero by the end of Episode 8.

The weight of these choices becomes apparent as early as Episode 2. Invisigal finds herself at the bottom of the performance leaderboard and facing removal from the team. Out of sheer stubbornness and pride, she acts on her own to apprehend a villain at Granny’s Donut Store refusing to wait for backup or follow protocol. The plan backfires spectacularly when the villain escapes and the store owner gets hurt in the chaos. This leads to a heated argument between Robert and Invisigal afterward, with both parties frustrated and uncertain about her future on the team.

The situation escalates when Episode 3 starts and Robert faces an even harder dilemma: someone from the team will be cut if they underperform during the shift. The pressure creates a toxic environment where, during the first half of the shift, team members actively sabotage one another to avoid being the one eliminated. Missions fail, civilians get hurt, and the entire operation threatens to collapse. This can be particularly difficult for players who seek to perfect every shift, as the sabotage makes flawless performance nearly impossible.

As the first half of the shift nears its end, a cutscene reveals Invisigal planning to sabotage Malevola during a mission to catch the villain who fled from the previous episode. This prompts Robert to intervene. In the next sequence, he confronts the entire team, telling them to get their act together and do their best so that no one has to be cut altogether. His leadership is tested as he tries to salvage what’s left of team morale.

Another cutscene follows where Invisigal admits to Robert that she is and always will be a villain at heart. In response, Robert refuses to accept her self-defeating attitude. He motivates her not to make it easy for herself and challenges her to prove to both him and the team that she’s capable of doing good. With Robert’s guidance and encouragement, she finally manages to capture the villain, rallying enough points to climb out of the bottom of the leaderboard.

But the reprieve is temporary. The game then presents Robert with an impossible choice: which hero will be cut from the program, Sonar or Coupé?

If players choose to cut Sonar, Malevola’s reaction is swift and personal. She will play a prank on Robert’s computer as an act of rebellion, making her angry. She will also refuse to be deployed on any dispatches, openly defying Robert’s authority. Her frustration leads her to clock out of her shift early, leaving Robert short-handed and forcing him to scramble to cover emergencies with a fractured team.

In contrast, if players decide to cut Coupé, Punch Up experiences a similar sense of betrayal and loss. He retaliates by playing a prank on Robert, his own way of expressing hurt he can’t quite articulate. During the first half of Episode 4, Punch Up leaves early to check on Coupé, prioritizing his former partner’s well-being over his duties at SDN. His absence creates operational challenges for Robert, but more importantly, it reveals the depth of loyalty and care these reformed villains have for one another.

Both scenarios demonstrate that Robert’s choices have real consequences beyond mission success rates. He’s not just managing heroes; he’s managing people with histories, friendships, and emotional needs that cannot be ignored.

New Blood, New Dynamics

From here, players are given another choice to help fill the gap left behind. At the end of Episode 4, Robert can recruit either the newly employed janitor Waterboy or the depressed alien who was recently dumped, Phenomaman (voiced by Travis Willingham), to join his roster of heroes.

If players choose Waterboy, he can sync with either Malevola or Punch Up depending on who remains on the team. His relationship with Malevola begins with him being visibly nervous around her intimidating presence, creating moments of comedic tension. If he’s paired with Punch Up instead, the dynamic becomes somewhat silly and lighthearted, but as Waterboy unlocks more of his abilities (such as healing and the confidence to no longer constantly assign himself menial tasks), he proves to be a surprisingly resourceful addition to the team.

The same applies if players recruit Phenomaman. When paired with Malevola, he is genuinely terrified of her, leading to amusing interactions where his alien bravado crumbles in her presence. The dynamic with Punch Up, however, becomes quite comedic, with the two playing off each other’s personalities in unexpected ways that bring levity to the team’s darker moments.

Romance in the superhero office

Playing as Robert, players can pursue romantic relationships with either Blonde Blazer (Mandy) or Invisigal (Courtney), depending on the choices they make throughout the game. These romance routes aren’t simply side content or flavor text. They actively shape the narrative, influence character development, and ultimately help determine which ending players receive. 

The game’s structure currently leans more heavily toward Invisigal’s route, offering more depth and narrative payoff for players who pursue a relationship with the invisible hero. Her arc is deeply intertwined with the core themes of redemption and second chances that define the Phoenix Program.

Invisigal’s Romance Route

To successfully romance Invisigal and guide her towards the path of heroism, Robert must consistently support her throughout the game. The key moments center around hacking sequences in Episodes 2, 3, and 6, where Robert must successfully help Courtney navigate these technical challenges. These sequences aren’t just skill checks as they are opportunities for Robert and Invisigal to build trust and connection, working together toward common goals while learning more about each other’s vulnerabilities and strengths.

If players navigate these moments successfully and make choices that prioritize Invisigal’s growth and wellbeing, they can achieve what’s considered the “good ending” where Invisigal fully embraces her role as a hero. There’s also a “mentor ending” variation where their relationship takes on a different dynamic, with Robert playing a more guiding role in her transformation. The specifics of how players balance romance with mentorship depend on the players’ nuanced choices that will reflect how complex their relationship is.

Blonde Blazer Route:

In contrast, romancing Blonde Blazer (Mandy) requires Robert to make different priorities and establish clear boundaries between his personal and professional life. A critical choice occurs at the end of Episode 2, when Phenomenaman invites Robert to join him for dinner. To successfully pursue Mandy, Robert must decline this invitation, choosing instead to spend time with his dog, Beef or pick a different choice instead. 

This choice establishes a pattern throughout the game where Robert must be intentional about nurturing his relationship with Mandy. Her route explores different themes than Invisigal’s, focusing more on the relationship between a dispatcher and a field hero, the professional boundaries they must navigate, and how their connection affects team dynamics at SDN. In the hero’s route, players will also know more about the heroine’s powers and how she is just an ordinary human too, like Robert. 

Now, both romance routes create branching narrative consequences beyond just the ending. They influence dialogue options, character interactions, mission briefings, and how other team members perceive and interact with Robert. Choosing to pursue one character can close off certain story beats with the other, and some players report that the game subtly acknowledges romantic tension or missed opportunities through environmental storytelling and character reactions.

Your choices in romance aren’t just about who Robert ends up with. They’re also about what kind of person he becomes, and what he values most in his new life as a dispatcher and as a hero.

The authenticness of heroes

At its core, Dispatch delivers a powerful message about what it truly means to be a hero. The game tells us outright that heroes are imperfect beings, flawed individuals who are far beyond the idealized figures we normally perceive them to be in traditional superhero narratives. They make mistakes, sometimes catastrophic ones. They make choices that can hurt the people around them, even when their intentions are good. They say things that can be raw, vulgar, or hurtful in moments of frustration or pain. But that doesn’t make them anything less than heroic.

This authenticity is what makes Dispatch stand out in a genre often dominated by power fantasies and moral certainty. The Phoenix Program isn’t filled with shining paragons of virtue. It’s staffed by recovering addicts, former assassins, people with complicated pasts and messy presents. The game shows us how relatable heroes can be when we strip away the cape and cowl. They experience anxiety, grief, and self-doubt. They feel betrayed, angry, and lost. They are vulnerable in ways that make them deeply human. These heroes experience the same struggles, emotions, and moral dilemmas that we as people face every day, just with higher stakes and occasionally explosive powers.

Robert’s journey from legendary hero to desk-bound dispatcher mirrors this theme perfectly. Without his suit and the Astral Pulse, he’s forced to confront his own limitations and redefine what heroism means when you can’t personally save the day. His growth comes not from regaining his suit, but from learning to guide, support, and believe in others despite their flaws, because he’s learned to accept his own.

Overall, the game is not without its imperfections. There are certainly adjustments that could improve the experience, whether in pacing, certain gameplay mechanics, or giving equal weight to all romance routes and character arcs. Some players may find certain choices feel more consequential than others, or wish for more development in specific storylines.

However, Dispatch remains a great game for those seeking a narrative-driven experience with meaningful choices, especially for players who want a challenge in the dispatching mechanics and decision-making under pressure. If you’re a fan of Telltale-style storytelling, workplace comedies with heart, or superhero stories that deconstruct the myth of perfection, Dispatch offers a refreshing and emotionally resonant experience. It reminds us that being a hero isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, making the tough calls, and believing that even broken people can save the day.