Black Beacon Global Beta: Droid Gamers' Hands-On Experience

In case you missed it, the action-packed gacha RPG, Black Beacon, launched its global beta test a few days ago. Are you wondering whether it's worth diving into right away? Don't worry—we've got you covered. We spent the weekend exploring the global beta to determine if Black Beacon has the potential to be the next big hit in mobile gacha gaming.

Setting and Story

Let's delve into the game's premise. Black Beacon is an action RPG gacha game set in the towering halls of the Library of Babel. This setting draws inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges' short story, envisioning a vast library containing every possible combination of letters. Most books are nonsensical, but hidden within are all the world's known works. The game also incorporates elements from the biblical Tower of Babel, weaving in Judeo-Christian mythology, which sets it apart from typical folklore-based narratives. Think of it as an Evangelion-esque twist on gaming lore.

In Black Beacon, you assume the role of The Seer, who awakens in this mysterious place without any recollection of their arrival. You're burdened with a significant destiny as the new custodian of the Library of Babel. Despite your arrival, the other characters remain surprisingly nonchalant but tight-lipped about the situation.

Your presence seems to instigate a major shift in the Library, not necessarily for the better. A monster begins to emerge from the depths, adding to the chaos. Coupled with time-travel antics reminiscent of Doctor Who's River Song and a clockwork star threatening to obliterate you and your new acquaintances, you'll need to act swiftly.

While we could go on about the story, let's shift our focus to how Black Beacon plays.

Gameplay

Black Beacon offers a 3D free-roaming experience, allowing you to explore areas using either a top-down or free camera perspective, which you can switch between by pinching or unpinching on the touchscreen.

The game features a real-time combat system that's both hack-and-slash and strategic. You'll chain combos and execute moves, with a unique feature that encourages mid-fight or mid-combo character switching. This tag team strategy lets benched characters regenerate stamina faster, and there's no penalty for swapping, making it feel like a high-stakes version of Pokémon with anime characters.

Combat demands timing and attention to enemy cues, offering depth without being overly complex. While you can easily dispatch weaker foes, more formidable opponents will challenge you to stay focused or risk being knocked across the arena.

As a gacha game, Black Beacon boasts a variety of characters, each with distinct combat styles and moves, ensuring that every new addition feels impactful. Some characters are intriguing enough to make you want to delve deeper into their stories.

Playing the Beta

If this sounds like your kind of game, you can join the global beta test. It's available on Google Play for Android users, while iOS users can participate via TestFlight, though spots are limited. Simply follow the link, sign up, and download the game to play through the first five chapters.

If you're enjoying the beta, consider pre-registering. By doing so through the official website, you'll receive 10 Development Material Boxes, and on Google Play, you can secure an exclusive costume for Zero.

It's too early to tell if Black Beacon will become the next big thing in gacha gaming, but we're eager to see how it develops.