Black Beacon has just arrived on mobile devices, but we've had the privilege of diving into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG a bit earlier than most. We're excited to share our insights on this unique game that blends fast-paced, smooth combat with dynamic character-swapping.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The game opens in the enigmatic Library of Babel, drawing inspiration from both the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' famous short story. In this vast structure, you awaken with little memory of your arrival, surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters who share your confusion. Your journey hints at a grand destiny, but there's a twist: a giant spinning orb threatens to obliterate everyone within twenty-four hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer in this world of endless bookshelves.
The setting and narrative are delightfully eccentric, featuring a library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and a tapestry of mythological references (watch out for that peculiar bird). The story throws you into the deep end, which is precisely the intended effect. If you find yourself bewildered, you're experiencing the game as intended.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers a moment-to-moment experience reminiscent of an ARPG dungeon crawler, with the flexibility of a customizable camera viewpoint. Whether you prefer a top-down perspective or a free camera setup that you can adjust with your other hand, the choice is yours. We found the latter more engaging, but it ultimately boils down to personal preference.
As you navigate the Library's passageways, the story unfolds in short, episodic sections, each containing several maps. Accessing these sections involves using energy, which the game generously provides, allowing ample playtime. Your tasks include exploring, solving puzzles, discovering hidden treasures, and battling warped entities—the remnants of individuals the Library hasn't fully "digested."
Combat in Black Beacon is both enjoyable and demanding. It's fast-paced and can be button-mashy, yet it remains challenging without feeling like mindless work. Timing plays a crucial role; a perfectly timed dodge grants temporary invincibility, while a well-placed heavy attack can interrupt an enemy's move, sparing you the need to dodge.
The character-swapping mechanic adds a strategic layer to battles, allowing you to switch fighters mid-fight. This tag-team approach lets you rest tired characters and bring in fresh ones, even during attacks. Mastering this rhythm can be satisfying, though a mistimed 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 can be extensive, much of the management can be automated.
You may encounter characters through the gacha system before meeting them in the storyline, adding an element of surprise and variety. The convoluted flow of time within the game serves this purpose well.
In summary, 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 adventure, whether you're navigating the aisles of a giant library or not, check out Black Beacon on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
