Dispatch Fans Need to Play This 11‑Year‑Old Modern Classic Game

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Today marks the 11th anniversary of a fantastic story-based game from Telltale Games that fans of Dispatch are sure to enjoy. Dispatch itself has been a huge hit for AdHoc, demonstrating that games focused on compelling stories and cinematic presentation are still popular. It’s earned rave reviews and is surprisingly deep, making it a game that’s easy to get hooked on.

Given the similarities, it makes sense that some of the creators of this game previously worked at Telltale Games. Telltale was known for its story-driven games, and one of their most popular, released on November 25, 2014, shares a lot of DNA with this new title. Like this game, it took a well-known story and added a unique blend of humor and heart. If you enjoyed this game and are looking for something similar, Tales from the Borderlands is definitely worth playing.

Tales From The Borderlands Was A Highlight For Telltale Games

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the release of Tales from the Borderlands, a game that still demonstrates why narrative-focused games like Dispatch are so successful. Led by directors Nick Herman, Jonathan Stauder, Ashley Ruhl, and Martin Montgomery, Tales from the Borderlands offers a fresh perspective on the Borderlands universe, following a Hyperion employee and a con artist who must team up to survive the wild world of Pandora. Though The Walking Dead series is better known and The Wolf Among Us received more critical praise, Tales from the Borderlands truly showcased the developer’s ability to adapt existing stories and make them uniquely their own.

Unlike most games in the Borderlands series which focus on shooting, Tales from the Borderlands emphasizes character relationships, investigation, and clever dialogue. Even the biggest “shootout” involves playful finger guns! The game is consistently funny, offering humor that goes beyond simple shock value and includes relatable character moments, witty pop culture nods, and fantastic voice acting. It’s a genuinely hilarious experience that playfully subverts typical video game storytelling.

What truly sets Tales from the Borderlands apart is its story. It’s a unique and emotionally engaging narrative, made possible by the game’s creative freedom. The characters are complex – flawed but relatable – and your choices genuinely impact the story and how you connect with them. Unlike many games tied to existing franchises, Tales from the Borderlands wasn’t constrained by pre-established expectations. While set in the Borderlands universe, it feels like a standalone story that expands the lore in a fresh and meaningful way, rather than just a simple spin-off.

The Themes, Morals, And Arcs Of Tales From The Borderlands Are Reflected In Dispatch

I’ve noticed something really cool about Dispatch and Tales from the Borderlands – they feel surprisingly similar thematically. That makes sense when you find out Pierre Shorette was a key writer on both! What really strikes me is how both games, even though they’re set in totally different places, really focus on people and their struggles. Tales is all about the rough and tumble world of Pandora, which is a stark contrast to the super clean, but fake, vibe of the Hyperion corporation. It really nails this feeling that it’s everyone for themselves, and honestly, that feels just as true in a corporate office as it does out in the wasteland.

The game challenges players to decide if they’ll embrace the harsh realities of its world and become equally ruthless. Like Dispatch, it asks whether striving to be a classic hero is worthwhile, or if allowing emotions to guide choices is a better path. Both games make romantic relationships feel genuine, showing how connections can develop naturally between surprising characters.

Both games explore what makes someone a villain and highlight the power of human connection, linking their stories through the actions of compelling characters like Handsome Jack and Shroud. They also share a common thread of criticizing flawed systems and showing characters striving for personal growth. If you enjoyed Dispatch, you’ll likely appreciate Tales from the Borderlands.

What Dispatch Can Learn From Tales From the Borderlands

Since its release earlier this year, Dispatch has been a hit with both critics and players. While a sequel hasn’t been officially confirmed, it’s likely one is being considered. Dispatch could benefit from lessons learned by Tales from the Borderlands, and it appears some of those lessons have already been applied. Dispatch wraps up with a satisfying and complete story, even if some minor plot points remain unresolved. Tales from the Borderlands, however, ended on a cliffhanger that wasn’t resolved in its sequel, New Tales from the Borderlands.

After spending so much time getting to know and care about the characters in the first game, it was difficult to connect with the new characters in the sequel as strongly. While it’s good for the series to introduce fresh faces, the original game did such a fantastic job developing its cast that it would be a loss to leave those beloved characters behind. Strong characters are a key part of what makes both games enjoyable, so any future installments need to include them. The team-based strategy in Dispatch was a smart way to make the narrative more engaging, letting players influence the story naturally instead of relying on simple button presses.

While Tales from the Borderlands didn’t have traditional action, it excelled with imaginative scenarios – like a deadly race in an arena, a unique gunfight, and a final battle with giant robots that felt like a perfect ending to its story. The developers of Dispatch could learn from this by adding more character-driven moments to the quick-time events players have to complete. Most importantly, Dispatch should remember the dedicated fans it’s already gained and work to keep them engaged.

When New Tales from the Borderlands was released, the Borderlands series wasn’t as popular as it once was, especially after the difficulties with Telltale Games and the change in development teams. Now, AdHoc has created something truly special with Dispatch, essentially a spiritual successor to one of the best story-focused games of recent years. It would be a shame if they didn’t continue with Dispatch, and while fans are waiting for news about a possible sequel, they should either play or replay Tales from the Borderlands to remember just how strong the narrative was in that Borderlands game.

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2025-11-25 22:47