So you’ve jumped into Dispatch and quickly realized this isn’t your average button-masher. This superhero narrative adventure throws choice after choice at you, and unlike some games that pretend your decisions matter, Dispatch actually tracks some of them for real consequences down the line.
The thing is, figuring out which choices are just flavor text and which ones will come back to haunt (or help) you later? That’s the million-dollar question. I’ve played through Episode 1 multiple times to map out exactly what matters, and I’m breaking it all down for you right here.
Fair warning: If you picked the “Interactive” experience mode, keep your reflexes sharp—there are QTE (Quick Time Event) sequences scattered throughout, and they can get intense.
The Opening Scene: Robert’s Backstory Choices
Right out of the gate, you meet Robert lying on the floor, having what seems like a therapy session or interrogation (the game keeps you guessing). The conversation gets personal fast.
“How do you really feel about your father?”
Your options:
- I love my dad
- Didn’t know him well
- He’s gone
Does it matter? Nope. This is pure character-building. Pick whichever resonates with how you want to play Robert. There are zero consequences here—it’s all about establishing your emotional baseline.
The Balcony Threat: Drop or Pull?
After some conversation, Robert drags a goon onto a balcony and you get a more visceral choice:
- Let Him Drop
- Pull Him Back
Does it matter? Slightly. Choosing “Let Him Drop” triggers a different interaction later in the episode. Nothing earth-shattering, but it adds a small ripple to your playthrough. If you’re curious about seeing variations, this is worth experimenting with on a second run.
My take: This is Dispatch testing your moral compass early. Are you playing Robert as someone who’s lost his edge, or someone clinging to heroic ideals? The game notices, even if it doesn’t punish you either way.
The Hacking Minigame: Your First Real Challenge
After your first round of QTEs (if you’re on Interactive mode), you’ll hit a hacking sequence. This isn’t a choice-based moment, but here’s the trick: you need to open paths strategically.
Access one data square first, then backtrack to open the alternate path for the remaining squares. It’s straightforward once you understand the pattern, but easy to fumble if you’re button-mashing without thinking.
The Security Room Confrontation
You bust into the security room and get to deliver a classic superhero one-liner:
- It’s over, Shroud
- Prepare to die
- I’m here to f* you up**
Does it matter? Not even a little. Choose based on your vibe—stoic hero, edgy antihero, or crude brawler. The story rolls on the same either way.
PUNT vs. STOMP
Immediately after, you get an action choice:
- PUNT
- STOMP
Does it matter? Only visually. You’ll perform a different beatdown animation, but the outcome is identical. It’s basically “pick your favorite finishing move.”
The Toxic Encounter: Calling His Bluff
During another extended QTE sequence, the villain Toxic tries to talk you out of your plan. You can respond with:
- Bullsh*t
- IGNORE HIM
- You’re bluffing
Does it matter? Nope. All roads lead to the same cutscene. This is dramatic tension without actual branching—think of it as choosing your flavor of disbelief.
The Press Interview: Reputation System Unlocked
Here’s where things get interesting. After the big action sequence, you face reporters with three questions. The third one actually matters.
Question 1: “Do you have anything to say to your fans?”
- I did my best
- Thank you
- It was all for you
Consequence: None. Say whatever feels right.
Question 2: “Are you retiring?”
- Pretty much
- No comment
- Not yet
Consequence: None. The media circus continues regardless.
Question 3: “How disappointed would your dad be if he were here right now?”
Now we’re talking. Here’s where that Reputation system kicks in:
- Answer → +Reputation (mature, professional response)
- Leave → Reputation stays neutral
- Attack → -Reputation (aggressive, unprofessional)
Why this matters: Dispatch tracks your public image, and it will likely affect how characters treat you and what opportunities open up later. Starting with positive reputation is generally smart, unless you’re deliberately playing a “fallen hero” arc.
The Store Robbery: Testing Your Identity
Outside a store, you witness a robbery in progress. The game throws three quick-fire choices at you:
First Choice: Your Opening Move
- That’s pretty disrespectful
- Put it down and leave
- I was watching that
Consequence: None. Just setting the tone.
Second Choice: “Who the hell are you?”
- I’m Mech Man
- Someone with nothing to lose
- Honestly, not sure anymore
Consequence: None for the story, but this is a great character moment. Robert’s questioning his identity—which answer feels true to your version of him?
Third Choice: Which Punch?
- PUNCH WITH LEFT
- PUNCH WITH RIGHT
Consequence: Only the LEFT punch lands cleanly. Right punch misses. Minor tactical difference, but you’re getting beaten down either way (it’s a story beat).
Pro tip: This whole sequence is designed to show Robert at his lowest. Don’t stress about “winning”—the narrative needs you to fail here so Blond Blazer can make her entrance.
Meeting Blond Blazer: Your New Partnership Begins
After Blond Blazer saves you from the beating, she offers to fix your arm:
- I’d prefer a professional
- Have you done this before?
- I can do it myself
Consequence: None. Pick your flavor of stubbornness or gratitude.
The Bar Scene: Building Your First Real Relationship
The bar conversation with Blond Blazer is where Dispatch starts tracking relationship points. Pay attention here.
First Dialogue: Breaking the Ice
- Rough day?
- That feels like a challenge
- Impressive
Consequence: None. Social lubrication.
Second Dialogue: “Why do you do this superhero thing?” [IMPORTANT]
- I like helping people → +Relationship with Blond Blazer
- I don’t know → -Relationship with Blond Blazer
- Only thing I’m good at → Neutral (no change)
Why this matters: Dispatch is all about the bonds between heroes. This is your first real chance to build (or damage) your connection with a key character. If you want Blond Blazer as an ally, show some idealism here.
Third Dialogue: Her Proposition
- Sounds intriguing
- Hopefully nothing scandalous
- A bar proposition?
Consequence: None. More banter.
The Flambae Incident: Nickname and Fire Extinguishing
When the fire-themed character Flambae starts causing trouble, you get two choices that create fun callbacks later:
Naming Flambae:
- Mr. Wet Ponytail
- Dr. Don’t Do Sh*t
- Sunglasses at Night Guy
Consequence: No major story impact, but your chosen nickname gets referenced later. Pick the one that makes you laugh.
How to Stop Him:
- WATER
- ALCOHOL
Consequence: This changes your next dialogue option with Blond Blazer AND the cutscene with Flambae. Water is the “smart” choice (puts out fire), alcohol is the “chaotic” choice (makes it worse). Both work narratively, but the cutscene plays out differently.
When Blond Blazer asks what happened:
- Guy fell down
- Extinguished a situation (if you used water) / Got fired up (if you used alcohol)
- Made a little mess
The middle option literally changes based on your previous choice—nice touch, Dispatch.
The Billboard Date: Romance or Professionalism?
Blond Blazer takes you to a scenic overlook near the Hollywood sign for a heart-to-heart. Multiple dialogue options follow:
Option 1: Setting the Mood
- Thanks for helping me
- I really needed this
- Sorry about the spit thing
Consequence: None. Social niceties.
Option 2: The Big One [ROMANCE CHOICE]
- KISS HER → +Relationship with Blond Blazer
- LET THE MOMENT PASS → Keeps things professional
Consequence: This is likely a major relationship fork. Kissing her opens (or closes) certain story paths. If you’re interested in a romance subplot, this is your green light. If you want to keep Robert focused on the mission, let it pass.
My take: The game presents this as a genuine “do you want this relationship to be romantic?” moment. It’s not a “test” where one answer is correct—it’s about what story you want to experience.
Options 3 & 4: Job Interview Banter
- This is an interview?
- My suit was destroyed
- Not exactly professional
Then:
- When do I start?
- What if I say no?
- Dispatch heroes?
Consequence: None. The job offer is happening regardless.
The SDN Dispatcher Tutorial: Your New Role
Blond Blazer gives you high-tech glasses and you enter the Dispatcher system—basically a superhero 911 operator interface. You’ll need to match heroes to emergencies based on their stats.
Important: You can fail these calls even when sending the “best” option due to percentage-based success chances. Don’t stress about it—the tutorial is designed to show you the system mechanics, not punish you for learning.
Gameplay tip: Look for stat matchups (Speed for chases, Strength for brawls, Intelligence for defusing situations). Higher percentages are better, but nothing’s guaranteed.
The Final Choice: Coming Home
After your wild day, Robert returns home to his dog. One last dialogue choice:
- GIVE HIM CEREAL
- Who’s a good boy?
- It’s gonna be alright
Consequence: None. Just a wholesome moment to end the episode.
What Actually Matters: The TL;DR
After all that, here’s what you should focus on:
Choices with REAL consequences:
- ✅ Press interview Attack/Answer/Leave (affects Reputation)
- ✅ “I like helping people” in bar (affects Blond Blazer relationship)
- ✅ KISS HER / LET THE MOMENT PASS (affects Blond Blazer romance path)
Choices with minor variations:
- ⚠️ Let Him Drop (different interaction later)
- ⚠️ Water/Alcohol on Flambae (changes cutscene and dialogue)
- ⚠️ Punch Left (actually lands vs. missing)
Pure flavor choices:
- Everything else (seriously, like 80% of the choices are just for roleplay)
Ending Notes: Play Your Truth
Here’s the beautiful thing about Dispatch: it doesn’t require you to game the system. The choices that matter are clearly telegraphed through the relationship/reputation mechanics. Everything else? That’s the game letting you define who Robert is.
Don’t overthink the flavor choices—pick what feels authentic to your character concept. Want to play a washed-up hero clinging to old ideals? Go for it. Want to play someone embracing their darker side? That works too.
The real magic is in how Dispatch makes you feel like your choices matter through smart writing and character reactions, even when they don’t mechanically branch the story. That’s quality narrative design.
Check out Dispatch on Steam if you haven’t already—it’s one of the more thoughtful superhero narratives to come out recently, and Episode 1 is just the appetizer.
Now get out there and dispatch some heroes. And maybe kiss Blond Blazer. Or don’t. That’s the beauty of choice-based games, right?
What choices did you make in your playthrough? Did you go full hero or lean into Robert’s darker moments? The stats screen at the end shows how your choices compare to other players—always fun to see where you land.
