In Dispatch, episode 1 serves as an introduction to Robert and the world he has been drawn into. Most decisions here do not lead to a significant change in events, but some do have a small bearing on your reputation, or your standing with an important character. Below is a clear outline of things to come and what your choices actually affect.
All Choices & Outcomes in Episode 1
Here’s an easy breakdown of all the choices you will face in the first episode.
The Opening Scene – First Choices
The story opens with Robert on the ground, talking to someone. A short way in, he is asked what his father thinks. You will be given three choices:
- I love my dad.
- Didn’t know him well.
- He’s gone.
Choose whichever option feels acceptable to you because none of these alter the plot. A moment later, Robert pulls a thug out onto the balcony and you make a quick choice.
- Let Him Drop
- Pull Him Back
Things play out almost the exact way in either case, although the option to drop him will change a later interaction slightly.
QTEs and Hacking Segment
If you selected the Interactive gameplay mode, early QTEs will initiate. Following extermination of the enemies, a simple hacking mini-game will play out, in which you will move down a track of sorts, hammering on the buttons that appear. At some point, you will have to open a path to one of the data squares and then backtrack to open a path for the others. Inside the security room, another dialogue set appears:
- It’s over, Shroud.
- Prepare to die.
- I’m here to f** you up.*
No major impact here, choose as you like.
Soon after, you’ll choose how Robert deals with a goon:
- PUNT
- STOMP
This only swaps a brief animation; the outcome remains identical.
More QTEs follow, then a conversation with Toxic during which you can respond with:
- Bullsht.*
- IGNORE HIM.
- You’re bluffing.
All three lead to the same result.
Press Interview – Reputation Matters Here
A press conference follows, where Robert answers three questions:
1. Message to fans? (Any option works.)
I did my best. / Thank you. / It was all for you.
2. Retirement? (Again, all acceptable.)
Pretty much. / No comment. / Not yet.
3. About his dad’s disappointment:
(This is the first choice that affects Reputation.)
- Answer → Reputation increases
- Leave → No change
- Attack → Reputation drops
Street Encounter with Thieves
Robert is observing a row of televisions outside of a store when he sees thieves stealing things from behind him. You’ll be making three micro decisions here:
First Choice (Any option is acceptable)
- That’s pretty disrespectful.
- Put it down and leave.
- I was watching that.
Second Choice (Any option is acceptable)
- I’m Mech Man.
- Someone with nothing to lose.
- Honestly, not sure anymore.
Third Choice
- PUNCH WITH LEFT (Only this option is the only selection that lands the first punch)
- PUNCH WITH RIGHT
While selecting “PUNCH WITH LEFT” does land the actual first punch, it does not change the result of the encounter.
Enter Blond Blazer – Key Relationship Choices
Following Robert’s physical defeat, a woman wearing a blond blazer arrives and manages the situation. She checks his arm and you make the choice to say:
- I’d prefer a professional.
- Have you done this before?
- I can do it myself.
All are safe choices.
She takes you to a bar, and when you talk with her, three rounds of dialogue will occur:
Dialogue 1 (Any option will do)
- Rough day?
- That feels like a challenge.
- Impressive.
Dialogue 2 (Affects the relationship you have with Blond Blazer)
- I like helping people. (Relationship +)
- I don’t know. (Relationship –)
- Only thing I’m good at. (No change)
Dialogue 3 (Any option will do)
- Sounds intriguing.
- Hopefully nothing scandalous.
- A bar proposition?
Flambae Encounter
Once the woman with blonde hair moves on, Robert communicates with the Flambae. At this point really, two choices happen:
Nickname choice (same as before not really impacting anything, but referenced later)
- Mr. Wet Ponytail.
- Dr. Don’t Do Sht.*
- Sunglasses at Night Guy.
What Robert throws at him:
- WATER
- ALCOHOL
This will change a small part of dialogue later, and alters the Flambae sequence a little.
Ultimately, the bartender tosses Robert out. Outside the door, Blond Blazer asks Robert what happened:
- Guy fell down.
- Extinguished a situation / Got fired up (Depends on your previous throw)
- Made a little mess.
Any option works.
Hollywood Sign Talk – Relationship Moment
She takes Robert to a billboard near the Hollywood sign, where a second conversation takes place:
Option 1 (Any response)
- Thanks for helping me.
- I really needed this.
- Sorry about the spit thing.
Option 2 (Affects relationship)
- KISS HER (Relationship +)
- LET THE MOMENT PASS
Option 3 (Any response)
- This is an interview?
- My suit was destroyed.
- Not exactly professional.
Option 4 (Any response)
- When do I start?
- What if I say no?
- Dispatch heroes?
Before wrapping up, she hands Robert a pair of glasses, where the SDN Dispatcher tutorial begins. You will choose which hero to send to the call. Remember the heroes have different stats, so check to see which hero would be the best fit for the call, since even the best option can roll poorly due to the chance of failure in a percentage roll.
Closing Scene – At Home
Back home, Robert talks to his dog. Make any choice you like:
- GIVE HIM CEREAL.
- Who’s a good boy?
- It’s gonna be alright.
Episode 1 ends with a summary screen showing how your decisions compared to the global player base.
