Black Beacon has just made its way to mobile devices, and we've had the privilege of diving into this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG before most. We're excited to share our insights with you.
Black Beacon is an action RPG that focuses on fast, smooth combat and introduces a unique character-swapping mechanic into the gameplay.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The adventure begins in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic structure inspired by the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. This library supposedly contains every conceivable book ever written. You wake up here, bewildered and surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters who share your confusion. It seems you're destined for something great, but first, you must survive the impending threat of a giant spinning orb set to obliterate everything in 24 hours. Welcome to your new job, Seer! Hope you enjoy bookshelves.
Despite the humor, the setting and storyline are delightfully chaotic. A library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythological references (we won't spoil too much, but that bird is definitely suspicious) plunge you into a deep narrative. The confusion you feel is intentional and adds to the game's charm.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers a moment-to-moment experience akin to an ARPG dungeon crawler, with a customizable camera viewpoint. You can choose between a top-down view or a free camera setup, which we found quite enjoyable, though it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Your journey takes you through the Library's passageways, advancing through short, episodic sections with multiple maps. Each section requires energy to access, but the game is generous with this resource. You'll explore areas, solve puzzles, search for hidden treasures, and battle against eerie enemies—remnants of individuals the Library hasn't fully 'digested'.
Combat is both fast-paced and engaging, requiring a mix of button-mashing and strategic timing. Perfectly timed dodges grant invincibility frames, and well-timed heavy attacks can interrupt enemy moves. The character-swap mechanic allows you to switch fighters mid-battle, adding a tag-team element to combat. Mastering this rhythm can make you feel invincible, until a mistimed dodge sends you flying down the corridor.
Characters And Weapon Rolls
As a gacha game, Black Beacon includes a system for acquiring characters and weapons tailored to them. Both can be leveled up, and while the variety of resources needed can be daunting, the game streamlines much of the process. You may encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, adding an interesting twist to the narrative flow.
Overall, Black Beacon is a unique gacha game with an intriguing, esoteric story and solid gameplay mechanics. 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 exploring a giant library, check out Black Beacon now on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
