Dispatch Preview: A Playable Superhero Sitcom With Telltale DNA

Superhero games usually lean into bombast — world-ending crises, high-stakes battles, and glossy icons in capes. Dispatch, from AdHoc Studio, takes a very different route.

Launching on October 22 for PC and PlayStation 5, it is framed as a superhero workplace comedy, closer to The Office with capes than Avengers: Endgame. With its episodic TV-inspired structure and emphasis on humour, character, and consequence, Dispatch could become one of the most unique narrative experiments in years.

Unlike many past episodic games where delays killed momentum, AdHoc promises a weekly cadence: two episodes at launch, then two every Wednesday until the full eight-episode season wraps. Co-founder Nick Herman described this as “appointment gaming” — content structured like a TV series, designed to spark watercooler conversations and online debates after each cliffhanger. It’s a bold bet on community engagement, and one the studio believes is crucial to Dispatch’s identity.

From Telltale to AdHoc

Former Telltale Games developers founded AdHoc, and their experience is evident. They’re taking Telltale’s strengths — branching choices, strong dialogue, and consequence-driven narratives — while addressing its weaknesses.

Expect sharper visual fidelity, more reliable release schedules, and mechanics that emerge organically from the story rather than being retrofitted onto it. As narrative director Pierre Charette explained, “We build our stories first… then find mechanics that are fun and make sense in context.”

Managing Heroes, Not Saving the World

Players step into the boots of Robert Robertson, a washed-up ex-hero whose mech suit has been destroyed. To earn repairs, he takes a desk job at the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN), essentially a 911 call centre for caped crusaders. Robert is tasked with wrangling a chaotic roster of ex-villains — the so-called “Z Team” — and sending them into the field.

Gameplay involves fielding subscriber calls, analysing requests, and dispatching heroes based on stats like combat, charisma, intellect, and mobility. Poor choices can lead to injuries, downed heroes, or messy consequences mid-mission. Players must manage rosters, juggle egos, and even engage in hacking mini-games, all while navigating open comms chatter that is as comedic as it is chaotic.

A Cast With Star Power

Dispatch’s eccentric world is brought to life by a heavyweight cast. Aaron Paul voices Robertson, balancing cynicism and desperation, while Jeffrey Wright adds gravitas in a supporting role.

Members of Critical Role, including Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham, also appear, expanding AdHoc’s creative partnership with the popular D&D collective. Rappers and comedians further round out the ensemble, bringing diversity and unexpected flavour to the script.

Tone, Style, and Soundtrack

Visually, Dispatch adopts a striking animated aesthetic — bright, expressive, and cinematic — deliberately avoiding the “gritty realism” typical of superhero fare. Its tone blends satire and workplace banter with real emotional undercurrents, making the humour land harder when contrasted with moments of drama. The soundtrack, meanwhile, leans heavily on synth-heavy 80s vibes, inspired by Drive and Paprika, giving modern-day LA a timelessly offbeat feel.

Choices With Consequences

Like the best narrative adventures, Dispatch promises that decisions carry weight across the season. Nurturing or neglecting heroes influences later outcomes, relationships evolve, and branching scenes mean no two playthroughs will be identical. Episodes end with a choice stat screen, encouraging comparison with the wider community — another feature designed to fuel discussion between releases.

Based on the preview, Dispatch feels like more than a novelty. Its humour is sharp, its mechanics fresh, and its episodic design deliberate rather than an afterthought. AdHoc’s pedigree, combined with a talented cast and strong early reception — the demo became one of the most played during Steam Next Fest — suggests the game could set a new benchmark for narrative-driven comedy games.

Whether you treat it as a weekly event or binge the whole season after release, Dispatch looks ready to turn superhero chaos into one of 2025’s most memorable narrative experiments.

Dispatch launches October 22 on PC and PlayStation 5.