Black Beacon has recently made its debut on mobile devices, and we've had the privilege of diving into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG ahead of the general release. Here's our take on this intriguing new game.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The adventure begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic edifice inspired by the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. In this setting, the library contains every conceivable combination of letters, housing every book ever written within its labyrinthine shelves.
You awaken in this mysterious place with no memory of your arrival, surrounded by a cast of vibrant characters who share your confusion. It seems you're destined for something great, but there's a catch: a giant spinning orb threatens to obliterate everyone within 24 hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer in this world of bookshelves!
Despite the humor, the setting and story have a captivatingly wild charm. The library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythological references (including a mysterious bird) plunge you into a deep narrative. If you find yourself bewildered, that's part of the experience—the game thrives on this sense of mystery.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers an engaging moment-to-moment experience as an action RPG dungeon crawler with a customizable camera viewpoint. You can opt for a top-down perspective or a free camera setup, which we found particularly enjoyable, though it's largely a matter of personal preference.
As you navigate the Library's corridors, the story unfolds in short, episodic segments, each containing several maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, but the game is generous with its allocation, allowing ample playtime.
Your journey involves exploring areas, solving puzzles, discovering hidden treasure chests, and battling enemies—distorted entities that are remnants of individuals the Library has "not fully digested." The combat is fast-paced and somewhat button-mashy, yet it remains challenging and rewarding. Timing is crucial; a perfectly timed dodge grants invincibility frames, while a well-placed heavy attack can interrupt an enemy's move, sparing you the need to dodge.
A unique character-swap mechanic adds depth to the combat, allowing you to switch fighters mid-battle. This tag-team approach lets you rest exhausted characters and bring in fresh ones, even during attacks. Mastering this rhythm can be satisfying, though mistiming a dodge might send you flying down the hallway.
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 is significant, much of the management can be automated.
You may encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, adding an element of variety and reflecting the game's convoluted timeline.
Overall, Black Beacon is a quirky gacha game with an ambitious narrative and solid gameplay mechanics. We're eager to see how it evolves post-launch.
If this sounds like your kind of game, you can explore Black Beacon now on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
