Droid Gamers: Hands On With The Black Beacon Global Beta

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

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

Setting and Story

The game unfolds within the Library of Babel, a setting drawing inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges' short story and the biblical Tower of Babel. This unique blend of literary and religious mythology creates a compelling backdrop, a refreshing change from typical fantasy settings. Think Evangelion-esque vibes.

Players assume the role of The Seer, awakening in the Library with a mysterious destiny: becoming its custodian. This unexpected arrival triggers significant, and potentially negative, changes within the Library, including a monstrous emergence from its depths, time-travel elements, and a looming threat from a clockwork star. The story is rich with intrigue.

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 mechanic, even mid-combo, allowing benched characters to regenerate stamina faster. This tag-team strategy adds depth without penalizing frequent swaps, reminiscent of a Pokemon-style team management system.

Combat demands strategic timing and awareness of enemy patterns. While straightforward against weaker foes, more challenging opponents require focused attention to avoid being tossed across the arena. The diverse character roster, each with unique combat styles and moves, ensures a consistently fresh gameplay experience. Several characters possess engaging personalities that encourage deeper engagement.

Beta Participation

The global beta is available on Google Play (Android) and TestFlight (iOS, limited slots). Download and play the first five chapters. Pre-registering via the official website rewards players with 10 Development Material Boxes, while Google Play pre-registration offers an exclusive costume for Zero.

While it's premature to definitively label Black Beacon a future gacha giant, our initial experience is promising.