Black Beacon has just landed on mobile devices, but we got our hands on it a bit earlier than most! We've had the privilege of diving into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG, and we're excited to share our thoughts with you.
Black Beacon is an action RPG that focuses on fast, smooth combat, enhanced by a unique character-swapping feature.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The game starts in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic structure inspired by the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. In Borges' tale, the library contains every possible combination of letters, housing every book ever written somewhere within its walls.
You awaken in this mysterious place, unsure of how you arrived, alongside a colorful cast of characters who share your confusion. It seems you're destined for something great. However, there's a twist: a giant spinning orb threatens to kill everyone within twenty-four hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer! Hope you enjoy bookshelves.
Despite the humor, the setting and story have a charmingly wild appeal. A library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythology references (we won't spoil too much, but keep an eye on that bird) immerse you in a deep narrative. If you're feeling confused, that's exactly what the developers intended.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon's core gameplay is a blend of ARPG and 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 preferred the latter, but it's largely a matter of personal taste.
You navigate through the Library's passageways, progressing through short, episodic story sections, each containing several maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, but the game is generous with how much it allows you to play.
As you explore, you'll solve puzzles, hunt for hidden treasure chests, and battle enemies—distorted entities that are remnants of people the Library hasn't fully "digested." The combat is fast-paced and engaging, requiring a bit of button-mashing but maintaining enough challenge to keep you on your toes. Timing is crucial; a perfect dodge grants you invincibility frames, while a well-timed heavy attack can interrupt an enemy's move, sparing you the need to dodge.
The character-swap mechanic adds a dynamic layer to battles, allowing you to switch fighters mid-fight. This tag-team approach lets you bench tired characters and bring in fresh ones, even during an attack. Once you master the rhythm, it feels rewarding—until a mistimed dodge sends 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 needed can be extensive, much of the process can be automated.
You might encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, adding variety to your experience. The flow of time in the game is intentionally convoluted, enhancing the narrative's complexity.
Overall, Black Beacon is a quirky gacha game with an ambitious, esoteric story and solid gameplay to back it up. We're eager to see how it evolves post-release.
If this sounds like your kind of game, or if you're intrigued by the idea of living in a giant library, check out Black Beacon now on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
