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

In case you missed it, the gacha action-RPG Black Beacon recently launched its global beta test. Not sure whether to dive in right away? Don't worry, we've got you covered. We spent the weekend exploring the 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 setting first. Black Beacon is an action RPG gacha game set in the grand halls of the Library of Babel. This setting draws inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges' short story about an infinite library that contains every conceivable combination of letters. Most books are gibberish, but somewhere within are all the world's literature. Additionally, the game incorporates elements from the biblical Tower of Babel, adding a rich layer of Judeo-Christian mythology—a refreshing departure from the typical folklore seen in other games. Think of it as an Evangelion-like experience.

In Black Beacon, you play as The Seer, a typical gacha protagonist who awakens in an unfamiliar place with no memory of how they got there. You quickly learn that you've been appointed as the new custodian of the mysterious Library of Babel. The existing characters seem unbothered by your arrival, though they're not exactly forthcoming with information.

Your presence seems to catalyze significant changes in the Library, not all of which are positive. A monster begins to emerge from the depths, and with elements of time travel reminiscent of Doctor Who's River Song, and a threatening clockwork star, you'll need to act fast to navigate this complex world.

We've covered the story extensively, so 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 view, easily switched via touchscreen controls. The real-time combat system is engaging, requiring you to chain combos and execute special moves. A standout feature is the ability to switch characters mid-fight or even mid-combo, which encourages a tag-team strategy that lets benched characters regenerate stamina faster. There's no penalty for switching, giving you the freedom to manage your team like a gacha version of Pokémon with anime characters.

The combat system emphasizes timing and reading enemy cues, making it deep yet accessible. While you can easily handle weaker foes, stronger enemies demand your full attention, or they'll send you flying across the arena. As a gacha game, Black Beacon offers a variety of characters, each with unique combat styles and moves, making every new addition feel significant and enhancing the game's replay value.

Playing the Beta

If Black Beacon sounds like your cup of tea, consider joining the global beta test. It's available on Google Play for Android users, and iOS users can access it through TestFlight, though spots are limited. Simply follow the link to download and experience the first five chapters.

Interested in continuing your journey? Pre-registering through the official website will earn you 10 Development Material Boxes, while Google Play pre-registration offers an exclusive costume for Zero.

While it's too early to say if Black Beacon will become the next big gacha sensation, we're eager to see how it develops. Give it a try and see if it captures your interest!