The next batch of episodes from AdHoc’s superhero workplace comedy, Dispatch, marks the series’ penultimate wave, and the stakes are at an all time high.
As usual, Episode 5 picks up right after the events of Episode 4, following your decision to date either Blonde Blazer or Invisigal. Robert’s continued efforts to repair the Mecha Man suit take center stage here. This is his chance to reclaim what was once lost, and with Boyd’s help, he’s closer than ever to wearing the suit again.
More Z-Team Action
This is one of the episodes I’ve been looking forward to the most. There’s more Z-Team screen time!
Episodes 5 and 6 greatly expand their presence instead of seeing them on Robert’s SDN computer via dispatching. I’m finally glad we’re getting more Prism and Malevola interactions, since they didn’t get much attention in previous episodes. On the other hand, one of my issues so far is how there aren’t any romance options for them, but I suppose that’s too much to ask from a game like this.
Jacksepticeye’s Punch Up and MoistCr1TiKaL’s Sonar continue to be standout favorites as well. These two crack me up every time. They may not be full-fledged voice talents, but they try their damn best behind the microphone. Combined with the game’s witty writing and sharp banter, they bring a different kind of chaos to Robert’s seemingly ordinary life.
There was a fantastic moment in episode 5 where the gang got into a bar fight with Red Ring goons. It has solid animation work, and it emphasizes each of the Z-Team’s unique personalities through their combat styles. Watching Punch Up punching each of the enemy's groins was hilarious.
In episode 6, there’s also a housewarming scene that oddly reminded me of my time with friends. Minus the superpowers, of course. There’s so much personality packed into this scenario, with small details that many players might miss on their first playthrough. Also, what’s up with the lamps?
It’s already clear which direction AdHoc Studio is going in after every new wave of episodes. They want us to love the Z-Team, and boy, did they succeed. My appreciation for this ragtag group of heroes keeps growing. The bar fight alone really strengthens the bond Robert has built with the Z-Team. Cheesy as it may sound, they feel like family now. Yes, even Flambae.
The Mystery Lingers
While episode 5 offers lighthearted moments that enhance Robert’s connection with the Z-Team, episode 6 delivers an emotional gut punch that I still haven’t gotten over.
But that’s not all. Episode 6 also brings back the first episode’s mystery. The antagonist Shroud remains a major threat, and Robert Robertson isn’t exactly ready to face him without the suit.
In between the usual dispatching work and team banter, the lingering mystery of Shroud’s identity still hangs heavy. Naturally, I’m curious about who’s behind the mask. I have my theories, but they’re not as wild as some of the ones floating around the community.
Where Are the Choices?
As much as I love Episodes 5 and 6, I feel the game has started to veer away from choice-based gameplay. There are a few meaningful decisions this time around.
Episode 6’s ending, while heartbreaking, didn’t really give me much of a choice at all. I was expecting a big moment of decision-making a la Coupe or Sonar, but it turned out to be a scripted event.
I also feel that my earlier choices aren’t carrying enough weight. This is supposed to be the game’s penultimate wave of episodes, and I still haven’t seen much progress in my romance storylines. Maybe I’m being impatient, but I was expecting my choices to have an impact on episode 6’s final minutes. The fixed scenarios really made me a bit disappointed after experimenting with different options.
There’s less dispatching work in this episode as well, with most of the gameplay focusing on Robert hacking internal systems.
This wave of episodes also comes with a few bugs that I didn’t even encounter in previous episodes. In Episode 6, my game froze, forcing me to restart and rewatch the same cutscene. I also ran into weird audio issues, such as repeated dialogue from Robert or overlapping voices from the Z-Team during dispatching work. It’s a minor nitpick, but it did break the immersion for me.
Overall, episodes 5 and 6 definitely raise the stakes. The game is slowly pulling you deeper into your love for this merry band of heroes. I feel like this is AdHoc’s way of giving us one last moment of calm before the inevitable storm of the finale, which I am not ready for.
