Black Beacon: The Rising Star in Gacha Gaming

Black Beacon has just landed on mobile devices, but we at [ttpp] were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at this Mythic Sci-Fi Action RPG before its official release. We're excited to share our firsthand impressions with you.

Shh! This Is A Library!

The game starts in the Library of Babel, a vast and enigmatic edifice inspired by the biblical Tower of Babel and Jorge Luis Borges' short story. In this setting, the library holds every conceivable combination of letters, hiding every book ever written within its endless shelves. You awaken in this mysterious place, surrounded by a cast of intriguing characters, all pondering their arrival and the looming destiny that awaits. But there's a twist: you've got just twenty-four hours before a giant spinning orb spells doom for everyone. Welcome to your first day on the job as a Seer—hope you're ready for some high-stakes librarianship!

Despite the gravity of the situation, Black Beacon's setting and narrative are delightfully offbeat. The library's gibberish-filled books, time travel elements, and mythological references (including a peculiar bird) create a captivating, if bewildering, backdrop. The story throws you into the deep end, which is intentional and effective. If you find yourself confused, you're right where the developers want you.

Send Me In, Coach

Black Beacon offers an engaging ARPG dungeon crawler experience with customizable camera angles. You can opt for a top-down view or a free camera setup, adjusting the view with your other hand. We found the latter more immersive, though it's really a matter of personal preference.

Navigating the Library's passageways, you progress through the story divided into short, episodic sections, each containing multiple maps. Accessing these sections requires energy, but the game is generous with its allocations, allowing ample playtime. Your journey involves solving puzzles, discovering hidden treasure chests, and battling enemies—distorted remnants of individuals the Library hasn't "fully digested."

Combat is both enjoyable and fast-paced, with a satisfying blend of button-mashing and strategic timing. Perfectly timed dodges grant you invincibility frames, while well-timed heavy attacks can interrupt enemy moves, negating the need to dodge. The game's character-swapping mechanic adds a dynamic layer to battles, letting you switch fighters mid-combat to keep your team fresh and effective. Mastering this rhythm is rewarding, though mistimed dodges can lead to some dramatic hallway tumbles.

Characters And Weapon Rolls

As a gacha game, Black Beacon features both character and weapon gacha systems, with weapons tailored to specific characters. Both can be leveled up, and while the game uses a variety of resources, much of the management can be automated for convenience.

You may encounter characters through the gacha before meeting them in the story, adding an element of unpredictability and variety. The convoluted flow of time in the game enhances this experience.

Overall, Black Beacon stands out as a quirky gacha game with an esoteric narrative and solid gameplay. We're keen to see how it evolves post-release. If this sounds like your kind of adventure—whether it's exploring endless shelves or facing off against time-bound threats—you can dive into Black Beacon now through the official website, App Store, or Google Play.