Black Beacon has just arrived on mobile devices, but we've had the privilege of diving into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG ahead of the general release. We're excited to share our thoughts on this intriguing new game.
Black Beacon is an action RPG that boasts fast, fluid combat with a unique character-swapping feature.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The game begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic structure drawing inspiration from the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. In this setting, every conceivable combination of letters exists, meaning every book ever written is hidden within its walls.
You awaken in this mysterious place, with no memory of how you arrived, surrounded by a cast of colorful characters who are equally puzzled. It seems you're destined for something great. Oh, and there's a giant spinning orb that's set to kill everyone in 24 hours. Welcome to your first day on the job, Seer! We hope you enjoy bookshelves.
Despite the humor, the setting and story are refreshingly wild. 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. If you're feeling confused, that's likely the intended experience.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon's core gameplay feels like an ARPG dungeon crawler with a customizable camera viewpoint. You can switch between a top-down perspective or a free camera setup that you control with your other hand. We found the latter more enjoyable, but it's down to personal preference.
As you navigate the Library's passageways, the story unfolds through short, episodic sections, each containing multiple maps. Accessing these sections uses an energy mechanic, but the game is quite generous with its allowance, letting you play extensively.
Your journey involves exploring, solving puzzles, hunting for hidden treasures, and battling enemies—distorted entities that are remnants of individuals the Library hasn't fully "digested." The combat is swift and engaging, requiring a bit of button mashing but remaining challenging. Timing is crucial; a perfectly timed dodge grants you invincibility frames, and a well-placed heavy attack can interrupt an enemy's move, sparing you from dodging.
The game's character-swapping mechanic adds a dynamic layer to battles, allowing you to switch fighters mid-fight. This tag-team approach lets you rest tired characters and introduce fresh ones, even mid-attack. Mastering this rhythm is satisfying, though mistimed dodges can send you flying down the hallway.
Characters And Weapon Rolls
As a gacha game, Black Beacon features a character and weapon gacha system, where weapons are tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the system uses numerous ingredients, much of the process can be automated for convenience.
You'll likely encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the game's narrative, but the convoluted flow of time adds variety to the experience.
Overall, Black Beacon is a quirky gacha game with a desire to tell a more esoteric story, supported by solid gameplay. We're eager to see how the game evolves upon its full release.
Does this sound like your kind of adventure? Or perhaps a row of shelves in your own giant library? If so, you can dive into Black Beacon right now via the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
