Superhero without superpowers – but with heart
After just a few minutes of play, it becomes clear: Dispatch is not another effects-heavy spectacle that relies on gigantic bosses and flying cities. Instead, it all begins with a broken man: Robert Robertson, known as Mecha Man. His high-tech suit is history, and unfortunately so are his muscles. What remains? A headset, a chair in the emergency call center – and the task of coaching villains in heroic deeds.
The trick: The world may have superpowers, but the story revolves around real people with real problems. This is precisely how the game cleverly circumvents the greatest weakness of modern superhero entertainment. Series such as various Marvel productions or The Boys quickly spiral into ever greater escalation, in which characters are nothing more than weapons with personalities.
Here, however, the focus is on emotions, insecurities, and charming failures. Decisions don’t lead to “explosion or no explosion,” but to moments that can be embarrassing, funny, and heartbreaking at the same time. As one tester reacted loudly:
“I let out a spontaneous ‘Uff’ – everyone knows those situations that you can only laugh about months later.”
Timing that would make any Netflix series jealous
The first episodes – each lasting around 45 minutes – demonstrate what happens when former Telltale developers are given complete creative freedom. The interplay of calm dialogues, lovingly drawn characters, and musical accents creates a series quality that you play rather than stream. Critics in the gaming press emphasize precisely this: genuine excitement.
Of course, it’s not just about watching: players manage bets, level up their team, and experience quick-time moments that make the action palpable – but never seem dull. Although there is still potential for further refinement, the balance is right so far.
The editorial team’s interim conclusion is particularly impressive at Eurogamer is particularly impressive:
“By episode four, it was clear to me that this game would be one of my favorite stories of the year—warm, funny, and sexy.”
Two new episodes are released every week – a rhythm like a good sitcom that makes you look forward to the next episode. And while managing the “villain heroes” can sometimes be stressful, it all feels like a deliberate experiment: What if superheroes were allowed to be human again?
