What game do you think deserves the title “Game of the Year?” Whatever game you’re thinking about, Dispatch clears.
Dispatch is a decision-based game that tells the story of Robert Robinson, a third generation superhero whom the public knows as Mecha Man. Robert controls this giant robot called Mecha Man, which was passed down from his grandfather to his father and then to him. Robert’s father, Astral, led a superhero group called the “Brave Brigade.” One of the members, Shroud, creates the Astro pulse to help power the Mecha Man, but soon after, Shroud starts to believe all of humanity is evil and his efforts as a superhero were useless. Shroud ends up killing Astral due to an argument they had, which led to him becoming a villain. Later, Shroud develops this supervillain team called the “Red Ring,” which becomes Robert’s main enemy, even though it all took place when Robert was just a kid.
In the first episode, Robert is forced to retire Mecha Man since the Red Ring destroyed the robot suit while he was in their base, looking for Shroud. A few days later, we meet another superhero named Blonde Blazer, who introduces a company she runs called SDN. SDN is like 911 for us, a place where citizens in emergencies would call, and a dispatcher sends out a hero for their situation. Moving ahead, Blazer offers to repair Mecha Man if Robert becomes a dispatcher for the Phoenix Program. This program’s goal is to turn past villains into superheroes for SDN. Robert agrees, which introduces us to the Z-Team (part of the Phoenix Program) and a past Brave Brigade member, Track Star, also known as Chase.
One thing we learn is that as Robert was growing up, his father was barely around because of his heroic work, often leaving Chase to look after Robert. They grow a brother-like relationship, but end up getting split up for unknown reasons, but again, they reunite in the first episode.
!!SPOILERS!!
One of the main controversies in this fandom is choosing the “right” romantic interest. The two choices are Blonde Blazer and Invisigal, who are in the Z-Team/Phoenix Program. Invisigal is more of a punk rebelling type of girl, while Blazer is more of a kind and softer girl, so they’re clearly opposites. In my opinion, Blonde Blazer is the right choice because the game reveals Invisigal used to work for the Red Ring, and in the final episode, if you don’t choose to end up with her, she betrays the Z-Team and becomes a villain. Invisigal’s character is evil at heart, only willing to be a hero to feel better about herself.
Another consideration is that Invisigal is pushing 30 and is being immature over Roberts’ own preference. Through the episodes, if you continue to hang out with Blazer, you can see Invisigal’s jealousy through her expressions, but if you continue to hang out with Invisigal instead, Blazer doesn’t seem to notice or care. Invisigal fans argue that because of her jealousy and Blazer not caring, Invisigal is the “right” romantic interest, but to me, this shows that Invisigal is just a creepy, obsessive, weirdo who thinks the world revolves around her.
Also, there are minor debates in the fandom on whether to kick off Sonar or Coupé from the Z-Team and pick Phenoman or Waterboy to replace them. In my opinion, this decision really doesn’t matter for the final episode. Whoever you kick off the Z-Team ends up joining the Red Ring out of bitterness and revenge against Robert and works to help stop him from defeating Shroud. For example, if you choose to pick Waterboy to replace Sonar or Coupé, Phenoman will end up joining the Z-Team in the final episode to help Robert fight the Red Ring/Shroud. In this scenario, before facing Shroud, Chase asks Robert, “Will you kill Shroud?” At this point, you have the choice to tell him “Yes, I will kill Shroud,” or “No, heroes don’t kill.”
After Robert beats Shroud, the game offers to let you kill Shroud or spare him. This is another main controversy. While some players choose to kill him because he is way too dangerous and mocks Robert with his father’s death, other players argue that Robert is a hero and he should be setting a heroic example for the Z-Team.
Robert also gets the choice to forgive Sonar or Coupé, or let the officers arrest them. Your choice does affect the ending because it affects how you’ll see them in the next game. You can also decide on if you forgive Invisigal or let the officers arrest her if you get her “good ending.”
Overall, Dispatch is a very simple superhero game offering unique choices that have a massive effect on the rest of your gameplay.
