Droid Gamers: Hands On With The Black Beacon Global Beta

If you've missed the latest updates, the action-packed gacha RPG, Black Beacon, has launched its global beta test just a few days ago. Curious about whether it's worth downloading? Don't worry—we've got you covered. Our team dove into the global beta over the weekend to evaluate if Black Beacon has the potential to be the next big hit in the mobile gacha scene.

Setting and Story

Let's delve into the premise. Black Beacon is an action RPG gacha game set within the majestic halls of the Library of Babel. This setting draws inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges' short story about a universe-sized library containing every conceivable combination of letters. While most of the books are nonsensical, the library theoretically includes every book ever written.

The game's Library of Babel also echoes the biblical Tower of Babel, which was built to reach the heavens. The setting is rich with references to Judeo-Christian mythology, setting it apart from games that typically draw from other mythologies. This unique backdrop is refreshing and reminiscent of series like Evangelion.

In Black Beacon, you play as The Seer, a protagonist who awakens in this mysterious place with no memory of how they arrived. You're thrust into a significant role as the new custodian of the Library of Babel. Despite your arrival, the other characters remain calm but are tight-lipped about the situation.

Your presence seems to trigger a dramatic shift in the Library, unleashing a monster from its depths. Coupled with time-travel elements reminiscent of Doctor Who's River Song and a menacing clockwork star, you'll need to act quickly to navigate these challenges.

Now that we've explored the story, let's shift our focus to the gameplay.

Gameplay

Black Beacon offers a 3D free-roaming experience, allowing you to explore areas using either a top-down or free camera perspective. You can easily switch between these views with simple touchscreen gestures.

The game features a real-time combat system that involves chaining combos and executing special moves. A unique aspect is the encouragement of character-switching during combat, even mid-combo. This tag team strategy allows benched characters to regenerate stamina faster, and there's no penalty for swapping, making it feel like a strategic version of Pokémon with anime characters.

Combat in Black Beacon requires timing and attention to enemy cues, offering depth without being overly complex. While you can easily handle weaker enemies, more formidable foes demand your full attention, or they'll send you flying 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 character feels impactful. Some characters are intriguing enough to make you want to learn more about them.

Playing the Beta

If Black Beacon piques your interest, you can participate in the global beta test. It's available on Google Play for Android users, while iOS users can join through TestFlight, though spots are limited. Simply follow the provided link, sign up, and download the game to play through the first five chapters.

If you enjoy 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 determine if Black Beacon will become the next big thing in the gacha genre, but we're eager to see how it develops.