Black Beacon: A Hands-On Look at the Global Beta Test
News just dropped: the gacha action-RPG, Black Beacon, launched its global beta test! Unsure if it's worth the download? We played the beta and offer this in-depth review to help you decide if Black Beacon will be your next mobile gacha obsession.
Setting and Story
The game unfolds within the colossal Library of Babel, a setting inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' short story and the biblical Tower of Babel. This unique blend of literary and religious allusions creates a compelling atmosphere, a refreshing change from typical folklore-based settings. Think Evangelion meets a sprawling library filled with every conceivable book – both sensible and nonsensical.
You play as The Seer, a protagonist thrust into this enigmatic world with a weighty destiny: becoming the custodian of the Library of Babel. Your arrival, however, triggers significant, potentially disastrous, events. A monstrous entity emerges from the depths, alongside time-travel anomalies and a ticking clockwork star threatening utter destruction. The story is intriguing and fast-paced.
Gameplay
Black Beacon offers a 3D free-roaming experience with adjustable camera perspectives (top-down or free camera) via simple pinch-to-zoom controls. Real-time combat is hack-and-slash focused, encouraging combo chaining and strategic character switching mid-battle, even mid-combo. This tag-team system allows benched characters to recover stamina faster, creating a dynamic and rewarding combat loop similar to a Pokémon-style team management system.
Combat demands skillful timing and anticipation of enemy attacks. It's challenging yet accessible, far from mindless button-mashing. While weaker enemies are easily dispatched, stronger foes require careful observation and strategic responses. The diverse cast of characters, each with unique fighting styles and moves, adds depth and variety to the gameplay. Several characters are particularly well-developed, making them engaging and memorable.
Playing the Beta
Ready to dive in? The global beta is available on Google Play (Android) and TestFlight (iOS – limited slots). Download and play the first five chapters. Pre-register via the official website to receive 10 Development Material Boxes, or grab an exclusive Zero costume via Google Play pre-registration.
While it's early to definitively declare Black Beacon a future gacha giant, its unique blend of compelling narrative, strategic combat, and intriguing characters makes it a promising contender. We're eager to see how it develops.
