Black Beacon May Well Be The Next Big Name In The Gacha Space

Black Beacon has just hit mobile devices, but we got our hands on this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG a bit earlier than most. We're excited to share our first impressions of this intriguing game.

Black Beacon is an action RPG that focuses on fast, seamless combat, integrating a unique character-swapping feature into the mix.

Shh! This Is A Library!

The game begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic structure drawing inspiration from both the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. In the story, the library contains every possible combination of letters, thus holding every conceivable book within its shelves.

You awaken in this mysterious place, with no clear memory of how you arrived, alongside a cast of colorful characters who share your confusion. It seems you're destined for greatness, but with a twist: a giant spinning orb is set to obliterate everyone within 24 hours. Welcome to your new job as a Seer, surrounded by bookshelves!

Despite the humor, the setting and story exude a charmingly wild vibe. A 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) plunge you into a deep narrative. The initial confusion is part of the experience, and it's likely intentional.

Send Me In, Coach

Black Beacon offers an engaging moment-to-moment experience, blending elements of an ARPG dungeon crawler with customizable camera views. You can opt for a top-down perspective or a free camera setup, which we found more enjoyable, though it's largely a matter of personal preference.

Your journey takes you through the Library's corridors, progressing through episodic story sections, each containing multiple maps. Accessing these sections uses an energy mechanic, though the game is quite generous with its allocation, allowing ample playtime.

As you explore, you'll solve puzzles, uncover hidden treasure chests, and battle enemies—distorted remnants of individuals the Library has yet to "fully digest." The combat is fast-paced and somewhat button-mashy, yet challenging enough to keep you engaged. Timing is crucial; perfect dodges grant invincibility frames, and well-timed heavy attacks can interrupt enemy moves.

The character-swapping mechanic adds a dynamic layer to battles, turning them into tag-team encounters. You can switch characters mid-fight, benching tired fighters and bringing in fresh ones, even during attacks. Once you master the rhythm, it's exhilarating, though a mistimed dodge can send you flying down the hallway.

Characters And Weapon Rolls

As a gacha game, Black Beacon involves rolling for characters and weapons, with the latter tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the system uses numerous ingredients, much of the process can be automated.

You might encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, which adds variety to the experience, fitting the game's theme of convoluted time.

Overall, Black Beacon is a quirky gacha game with an esoteric narrative and solid gameplay that supports its unique setting. We're eager to see how it evolves upon its official release.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, 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.