Black Beacon has recently hit mobile devices, but we got an early sneak peek at this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG. Let's dive into our impressions of this intriguing game.
Shh! This Is A Library!
The game begins in the enigmatic Library of Babel, a vast structure inspired by both the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story, which envisions a library containing every possible combination of letters, thus holding every conceivable book. You awaken within this mysterious place, surrounded by a cast of vibrant characters all pondering their arrival. It seems you're destined for something great, but there's a twist: a giant spinning orb threatens to kill everyone in just twenty-four hours. Welcome to your first day as a Seer in a world of bookshelves!
Despite the humor, the setting and story of Black Beacon are captivatingly wild. A library filled with nonsensical books, time travel, and numerous mythological references create a rich narrative tapestry. The game throws you right into the deep end of its story, and if you're feeling a bit lost, that's part of the charm.
Send Me In, Coach
Black Beacon offers an engaging moment-to-moment experience as an ARPG dungeon crawler with a customizable camera viewpoint. Whether you prefer a top-down view or a free camera setup, the choice is yours, and we found the latter quite enjoyable. You navigate through the Library's corridors, advancing through episodic sections, each containing multiple maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, but the game is generous with how much it allows you to play.
Your journey involves exploring areas, solving puzzles, hunting for hidden treasures, and battling enemies—distorted figures that are remnants of individuals the Library hasn't fully 'digested'. Combat is fast-paced and challenging, with a focus on timing. Perfectly timed dodges grant iframes, and well-timed heavy attacks can interrupt enemies, adding depth to the button-mashing action.
A unique character-swap mechanic allows you to switch fighters mid-battle, turning combat into a strategic tag-team affair. Once you master the rhythm, it feels rewarding, though mistiming a dodge can send you flying down the hallway.
Characters And Weapon Rolls
As a gacha game, Black Beacon features a system for acquiring characters and weapons, each tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the game uses numerous resources, much of the management can be automated. You might encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, adding variety to your experience.
Overall, Black Beacon stands out as a quirky gacha game with a unique, esoteric story and solid gameplay mechanics. We're excited to see how it evolves post-release. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, or if you're intrigued by the idea of living in a giant library, check out Black Beacon on the official website, App Store, or Google Play.
