Black Beacon has recently made its debut on mobile devices, and we were lucky enough to dive into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG ahead of most. Our hands-on experience has left us eager to share our thoughts on this intriguing game.
Black Beacon is an action RPG that prides itself on its fast, smooth combat system, which uniquely incorporates character-swapping mechanics.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The game's narrative begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and mysterious locale drawing inspiration from the biblical Tower of Babel, a legendary structure built to reach the heavens, and Jorge Luis Borges' short story, which envisions a library containing every conceivable combination of letters, housing every book ever written within its endless shelves.
You start your journey in this enigmatic place, with no clear memory of your arrival, surrounded by an eclectic group of characters all pondering the same mystery. It seems you're destined for something great.
However, you've also got a looming deadline: a giant spinning orb threatens to obliterate everyone within twenty-four hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer! We hope you're fond of bookshelves.
Despite the humor, there's an undeniably wild charm to the setting and storyline. A library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythological references (we won't spoil too much, but keep an eye on that bird) plunge you into a deep narrative pool. If you find yourself confused, that's perfectly fine—it's likely the intended experience.
Now, let's delve into the gameplay.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers a moment-to-moment experience reminiscent of an ARPG dungeon crawler, with a customizable camera viewpoint. You can opt for a top-down perspective or a free camera setup, adjusting the view with your other hand. We found the latter more engaging, though it's largely a matter of personal preference.
As you navigate the Library's corridors, you progress through the story, which is divided into short, episodic sections, each containing several maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, but the game is quite generous with its allocation, allowing ample playtime.
Your journey involves exploring areas, solving puzzles, hunting for hidden treasure chests, and battling enemies—distorted entities that are supposedly remnants of individuals the Library has yet to fully "digest." Quite unsettling!
Combat is both enjoyable and fast-paced, with a touch of button-mashing, yet it remains challenging enough to keep you engaged. Timing plays a crucial role; executing a perfect dodge grants you a brief period of invincibility, while landing a heavy attack on an enemy about to strike can interrupt their move, sparing you the need to dodge.
The game's character-swap mechanic adds a dynamic layer to battles, turning them into tag-team matches. You can switch characters mid-fight, benching tired fighters and bringing in fresh ones, even during an attack. Mastering this rhythm can be satisfying, though mistiming a dodge might send you flying down the hallway courtesy of a giant monster.
Characters And Weapon Rolls
As a gacha game, Black Beacon features a system for acquiring characters and weapons, with weapons tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the variety of resources required can be extensive, much of the process can be automated for convenience.
You might encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, but as the game suggests, the flow of time is convoluted. This approach adds variety to your gameplay experience.
In summary, Black Beacon is a unique gacha game that aims to weave a more esoteric narrative, supported by solid gameplay mechanics. We're keen to see how the game evolves post-launch.
Does this sound like your kind of adventure? Or perhaps a journey through the endless shelves of your new home? If so, you can explore Black Beacon now on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
