Dispatch, the episodic superhero adventure from AdHoc Studio, officially arrives on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, bringing its distinctive blend of narrative-driven gameplay, strategic management, and visual novel elements to Nintendo’s versatile hardware.
Known for their work on innovative interactive stories, AdHoc Studio delivers a season-like experience with Dispatch, previously available for Windows via Steam and PlayStation 5, now enhanced for portable play and touch controls on Nintendo platforms. Originally released episodically, Dispatch reached its complete version (1.0) in late 2023.
The game gained attention for its creative storytelling, colorful art direction, and unique take on a post-superhero world.
Players step into the shoes of Robert Roberston, a former superhero called Mecha Man now working as a dispatcher for an organization dedicated to reforming former villains.
Throughout eight episodes, Dispatch weaves together superhero themes, workplace drama, romance, and comedic moments, complemented by mini-game and management simulation segments. With the launch of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions, Dispatch now supports touch controls for portable play and maintains parity with other platform features, barring one notable exception: enforced visual censorship.
Unlike on Steam or PS5, where players can toggle visual filters, the Switch releases automatically apply a censorship overlay to certain scenes, including moments of nudity or gestures like raising a middle finger.
According to AdHoc Studio representatives, this policy is standard for Nintendo platform releases.
The censorship manifests as a black rectangle over content considered sensitive; while it doesn’t alter the story, it can detract from immersion. The Switch 2 version, tested primarily in handheld mode, offers a smooth gameplay experience.
The freedom to play through Dispatch’s narrative at the player’s own pace and enjoy the benefit of touchscreen controls enhances accessibility, particularly in sections where choices and management actions are key.
The title enables players to start from any episode—accompanied by spoiler warnings—or replay the entire story across multiple sittings, with branching paths and consequences for major decisions.
A typical playthrough takes about nine to ten hours. Dispatch boasts vibrant visuals, clever character design (notably the popular antihero Malevola), and an impressive soundtrack by composer Andrew Arcadi, featuring tracks such as “Shift_Z” and “Fvck the Stars” and curated licensed music.
The cast’s voice acting stands out, further elevating the episodic story’s atmosphere.
However, some players may notice video compression issues during in-game TV-show scenes, as video bitrate is not optimal for high-resolution displays—a limitation carried over from prior versions. Gameplay alternates between managing a team of reformed heroes, responding to urgent city requests, and completing hacking mini-games.
The strategic aspect involves selecting appropriate heroes based on their abilities and responding within strict time limits; success and failure affect progression and team status.
While these segments add depth, their impact on the overarching story is minimal until the game’s finale, which may disappoint those looking for stronger narrative integration throughout. Despite these caveats, Dispatch on Switch and Switch 2 is a strong, accessible port for players interested in experiencing its full story in a portable format.
The Touchscreen support is welcome, though a patch to improve touch targets for finer control would be beneficial.
Ultimately, AdHoc Studio’s title provides an entertaining episodic adventure perfect for weekend play sessions or handheld gaming on the go. For genre enthusiasts and fans of narrative-driven games like Life is Strange or Telltale’s The Wolf Among Us, Dispatch delivers an engaging, visually compelling story with replay value due to its branching choices.
While forced censorship and minor technical limitations hold back the Nintendo Switch versions from being the definitive edition, the game remains a worthwhile addition to the Nintendo eShop library for both new and returning players.
Known for their work on innovative interactive stories, AdHoc Studio delivers a season-like experience with Dispatch, previously available for Windows via Steam and PlayStation 5, now enhanced for portable play and touch controls on Nintendo platforms. Originally released episodically, Dispatch reached its complete version (1.0) in late 2023.
The game gained attention for its creative storytelling, colorful art direction, and unique take on a post-superhero world.
Players step into the shoes of Robert Roberston, a former superhero called Mecha Man now working as a dispatcher for an organization dedicated to reforming former villains.
Throughout eight episodes, Dispatch weaves together superhero themes, workplace drama, romance, and comedic moments, complemented by mini-game and management simulation segments. With the launch of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions, Dispatch now supports touch controls for portable play and maintains parity with other platform features, barring one notable exception: enforced visual censorship.
Unlike on Steam or PS5, where players can toggle visual filters, the Switch releases automatically apply a censorship overlay to certain scenes, including moments of nudity or gestures like raising a middle finger.
According to AdHoc Studio representatives, this policy is standard for Nintendo platform releases.
The censorship manifests as a black rectangle over content considered sensitive; while it doesn’t alter the story, it can detract from immersion. The Switch 2 version, tested primarily in handheld mode, offers a smooth gameplay experience.
The freedom to play through Dispatch’s narrative at the player’s own pace and enjoy the benefit of touchscreen controls enhances accessibility, particularly in sections where choices and management actions are key.
The title enables players to start from any episode—accompanied by spoiler warnings—or replay the entire story across multiple sittings, with branching paths and consequences for major decisions.
A typical playthrough takes about nine to ten hours. Dispatch boasts vibrant visuals, clever character design (notably the popular antihero Malevola), and an impressive soundtrack by composer Andrew Arcadi, featuring tracks such as “Shift_Z” and “Fvck the Stars” and curated licensed music.
The cast’s voice acting stands out, further elevating the episodic story’s atmosphere.
However, some players may notice video compression issues during in-game TV-show scenes, as video bitrate is not optimal for high-resolution displays—a limitation carried over from prior versions. Gameplay alternates between managing a team of reformed heroes, responding to urgent city requests, and completing hacking mini-games.
The strategic aspect involves selecting appropriate heroes based on their abilities and responding within strict time limits; success and failure affect progression and team status.
While these segments add depth, their impact on the overarching story is minimal until the game’s finale, which may disappoint those looking for stronger narrative integration throughout. Despite these caveats, Dispatch on Switch and Switch 2 is a strong, accessible port for players interested in experiencing its full story in a portable format.
The Touchscreen support is welcome, though a patch to improve touch targets for finer control would be beneficial.
Ultimately, AdHoc Studio’s title provides an entertaining episodic adventure perfect for weekend play sessions or handheld gaming on the go. For genre enthusiasts and fans of narrative-driven games like Life is Strange or Telltale’s The Wolf Among Us, Dispatch delivers an engaging, visually compelling story with replay value due to its branching choices.
While forced censorship and minor technical limitations hold back the Nintendo Switch versions from being the definitive edition, the game remains a worthwhile addition to the Nintendo eShop library for both new and returning players.
