Black Beacon Beta Launched: Hands-On Experience for Droid Gamers

Black Beacon Global Beta: A Hands-On Look at the Gacha Action-RPG

Black Beacon, the gacha action-RPG, recently launched its global beta test. Intrigued? We played the beta to see if it lives up to the hype.

Setting and Story

The game unfolds within the 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 references creates a compelling backdrop, a departure from typical fantasy settings. Think Evangelion-esque atmosphere.

Players assume the role of The Seer, awakening in the Library with a mysterious destiny: becoming its custodian. The Seer's arrival triggers significant changes, including a monstrous emergence from the depths, time-travel elements, and a looming threat from a clockwork star. The narrative is intriguing and sets a fast-paced adventure.

Gameplay

Black Beacon offers a 3D free-roaming experience with adjustable camera perspectives (top-down or free camera). Real-time combat involves chaining combos and executing moves. A standout feature is the seamless character-switching mid-combat, even mid-combo, allowing benched characters to regenerate stamina faster. This tag-team strategy adds depth without penalizing frequent swaps, resembling a Pokémon-style system with anime aesthetics.

Combat demands strategic timing and awareness of enemy cues, preventing mindless button-mashing. While straightforward against weaker enemies, challenging opponents require careful observation and tactical maneuvering. The diverse character roster, each with unique combat styles and moves, ensures a fresh experience with each addition to your team. Several characters possess compelling personalities, encouraging player engagement.

Beta Impressions

The global beta, accessible via Google Play (Android) and TestFlight (iOS, limited slots), allows players to experience the first five chapters. Pre-registering through the official website rewards players with 10 Development Material Boxes, while Google Play pre-registration unlocks an exclusive costume for Zero.

While it's premature to definitively label Black Beacon a future gacha giant, its unique blend of engaging story, strategic combat, and compelling characters makes it a promising title worth exploring.