After a solid eight-episode run, Dispatch has officially ended. AdHoc Studios' attempt to rekindle the fires of the episodic gaming format has been largely successful, amassing over 1 million copies since the game’s launch four weeks ago.
We’ve reviewed each wave of episodes since then, like a classic TV show format. Dispatch honestly felt like a nice return to scheduled episode releases, where we had to speculate and theorycraft whatever conspiracies our heads come up with after each episode. Judging from the crackpot theories everyone has made ever since, I’d say waiting for each episode was a good idea.
Now that the series is officially over, one burning question remains: Was the finale worth the wait?
More Than Its Heroes
But before I answer that question, let’s talk about one of Dispatch’s strongest features: its characters. Without these personalities, the game’s foundation would crumble. The dispatching gameplay, while enjoyable, breaks away the pacing from the game's climactic and dramatic moments. "What do you mean I still need to deal with Vanderstank amidst all this chaos?" While the game provides diegetic effects to match emotional moments on Robert’s SDN computer, the dispatching gameplay wouldn’t stand on its own without my beloved Z-Team.
One other thing I love about Dispatch is how much heart is put into its story. It's not just about a group of downtrodden heroes, if I could compare it to a TV show, Dispatch would be like FX's The Bear. There's a kind of satisfaction to its controlled chaos, especially when you start to become attached to its world and characters. From Flambae’s obnoxious bullying to Sonar’s coke-addled brain, every word that comes out of their mouths cracks me up. Even side characters like Prism, Malevola, and Golem stand out despite their noticeable lack of screentime.
The game’s finale solidifies the gang’s friendship too well, something that I’ve always adored with an ensemble story like this. It really feels like you’re building them up to their optimal efficiency, as a workmate and a friend. They are deeply flawed, yes, but these are the characters you’ve fostered since the very first episode, and there’s a distinct tug on the heartstrings when everything you have been working on culminates with such positivity and hope.
I’ve been praising Dispatch’s writing since the very first episode thanks to its heartfelt maturity. The way they deal with problems are realistic, and despite their superpowers, they're as emotional and temperamental as the average human being. I have often compared Dispatch to shows like Invincible or The Boys, minus the excessive gore. I eventually realized that I prefer Dispatch's kind of style more due to its lack of exaggerated violence.
More Than Its Villains
It’s also a story that’s more than its villains.
Dispatch is never about stopping a ‘villain of the week’ or uncovering who’s behind Shroud’s mask. While they are instrumental to keep the story moving forward, none of these really matter compared to the journey of Robert and his Z-Team.
The game, as a whole, is all about Robert’s growth as an individual, keeping the peace with his ragtag group of unlikely characters, as well as forging potential love interests. It's essentially a story about the friends we made along the way.
Every week since launch, my curiosity about the man behind Shroud’s mask dwindled. The mystery is palpable, sure, but I found myself caring more about my relationships with the characters, like choosing between laying off Coupe or Sonar, defending Invisigal for the nth time, or keeping up with Phenomaman’s childlike woes. These are the plot points I deeply cared about, and watching my decisions unfold in the finale had me feeling relieved, but also conflicted. More on that later.
Players should also check out the Deluxe Edition’s goodies, including interesting layers of lore from its side-characters like Chase, Robert’s dad, and even Shroud.
Endings and Beginnings
I can say that the decisions I made since the first episode were pretty decent. If I were in Robert’s shoes, that’s exactly what I would have done as well. One could say I got the lukewarm ending, where I didn’t romance anyone and failed to be a good mentor to a certain someone. It got very ominous, which genuinely worried me because 80% of players got the other one.
While I absolutely love the game as a whole, its branching paths could use more work. It's like none of them really mattered apart from mere character swaps and certain changes in dialogue. Picking between Phenomaman and Waterboy barely had any difference, as both characters still join us in the finale.
Maybe I was expecting something more than just an Invisigal focus, but as I rolled through the game's credits, it's a better conclusion that I hoped for. Working on multiple character arcs is a tall order for a $20 game, and I understand AdHoc's decision to tone things down.
The branching paths still resembles a Telltale game, but I it’s a decent upgrade from its inspirations, and I credit the writing and animation team for adding enough weight to our different choices, without making it feel like fodder.
Dispatch is over, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be getting a Season 2. Aaron Paul (Robert’s VA) is already excited to see where it goes, but there’s been no confirmation from AdHoc yet.
Paul’s Robert has been one of the standout voice talents in the game, blending in well with veterans like Laura Bailey and Matt Mercer.
Watching these characters fade away as I roll through the game’s credits bummed me out, as I wanted more from them. It’s like finishing a Persona game, hoping that I’d see my digital friends again in the foreseeable future.
Verdict
Overall, Dispatch is a fantastic return to form for what Telltale Games popularized years ago. In fact, AdHoc has mastered the episodic formula, creating a strong balance between its chaotic workplace comedy and an engaging, albeit a little frustrating, strategy gameplay loop.
Should a season 2 happen, there are obvious things that need working, like weightier choices and a couple of explorable 3D sections, which I always enjoyed in classic Telltale games like The Walking Dead.
Still, these issues don’t take away the fact that Dispatch’s 8-episode run is a vibrant ensemble of chaotic personalities that I will deeply miss after growing up on me. With a talented voice cast, strong writing, and solid animation work, Dispatch is the new gold standard of episodic games moving forward.
A little flawed, sure, but just like its characters, its imperfections are part of what make it special.
