Black Beacon has just arrived on mobile devices, but we were lucky enough to dive into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG ahead of its general release. We're excited to share our impressions of this captivating game.
Black Beacon is an action RPG that focuses on fast, smooth combat, incorporating a unique character-swapping feature into the gameplay.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The adventure begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic structure inspired by both the biblical Tower of Babel, a human attempt to reach heaven, and Jorge Luis Borges' short story, which envisions a library containing every conceivable combination of letters, thus holding every book ever written within its endless shelves.
You awaken in this mysterious place with no memory of how you arrived, surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters who share your confusion. It seems a grand destiny awaits you.
However, there's a catch: a giant spinning orb threatens to annihilate everyone within twenty-four hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer in the Library of Babel! Brace yourself for bookshelves and impending doom.
Despite the humorous undertones, the setting and story possess a wildly charming quality. The library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythological references (we won't spoil too much, but keep an eye on that peculiar bird) immerse you deeply in the narrative from the start. If you find yourself bewildered, rest assured—that's precisely the experience the creators intended.
Now, let's talk about the gameplay.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers a dynamic action RPG dungeon crawler experience with a customizable camera viewpoint. You can choose a top-down perspective or a free camera setup, adjusting the view with your other hand. We preferred the latter, but it ultimately comes down to personal taste.
As you navigate the Library's passageways, you progress through short, episodic story sections, each containing several maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, though the game is generous in allowing you to play.
Your journey involves exploring areas, solving puzzles, discovering hidden treasure chests, and battling enemies—distorted entities that are remnants of individuals 'not fully digested' by the Library. Chilling, indeed.
Combat is enjoyable and fast-paced, with a slight tendency towards button-mashing but sufficiently challenging to avoid feeling repetitive. Timing plays a crucial role; executing a perfect dodge grants temporary invincibility, while a well-timed heavy attack can interrupt an enemy's move, sparing you the need to dodge.
A standout feature is the character-swapping mechanic, allowing you to switch fighters mid-battle. This tag-team approach lets you replace exhausted characters with fresh ones, even mid-attack. Once you master the rhythm, it's immensely satisfying—until a mistimed dodge sends you flying down the hallway courtesy of a giant monster.
Characters And Weapon Rolls
As a gacha game, Black Beacon includes character and weapon gacha mechanics, with weapons tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the variety of ingredients needed is extensive, much of the process can be automated for convenience.
You may encounter characters through the gacha system before meeting them in the story, adding an element of unpredictability to the narrative flow.
In conclusion, Black Beacon is a quirky gacha game with an ambitious, esoteric storyline, supported by solid gameplay mechanics. We're eager to see how it evolves post-launch.
Does this sound like your kind of game? Or perhaps a fascinating row of shelves in your new library home? If so, you can explore Black Beacon now on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
