Droid Gamers Explores Black Beacon Global Beta

In case you missed the latest gaming news, the gacha action-RPG Black Beacon has launched its global beta test just a few days ago. If you're on the fence about whether to dive in, don't worry—we've got you covered. We spent the weekend exploring the beta to give you the lowdown on whether Black Beacon could be the next big mobile gacha hit.

Setting And Story

Let's dive into the world of Black Beacon. This action RPG gacha game unfolds within the grand halls of the Library of Babel, a setting inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' short story. Borges envisioned the Library as a universe where every conceivable book exists, most filled with gibberish but containing every known work somewhere within. Black Beacon's Library also draws from the biblical Tower of Babel, weaving in Judeo-Christian mythology—a refreshing twist from the usual folklore themes.

In the game, you step into the shoes of The Seer, a protagonist who wakes up in this mysterious place with no memory of how they got there. As the new custodian of the Library of Babel, you're thrust into a heavy destiny. The other characters seem unfazed by your presence but are tight-lipped about details.

Your arrival sets off a chain of events, including a monster emerging from the depths, time-travel twists reminiscent of Doctor Who's River Song, and a looming clockwork star threatening your existence. With such an intricate plot, it's time to see how Black Beacon handles gameplay.

Gameplay

Black Beacon offers a 3D free-roaming experience, allowing you to navigate through areas using either a top-down or free camera perspective, easily switchable via touchscreen controls. The game features a real-time combat system that's both hack-and-slash and strategic, encouraging you to chain combos and switch characters mid-fight or even mid-combo.

This tag-team strategy lets benched characters regenerate stamina faster, and there's no penalty for swapping in and out, giving you the flexibility to manage your team like a gacha version of Pokémon with anime characters. Combat demands attention to timing and enemy cues, offering depth without becoming a mindless button-mashing fest. While lower-level enemies can be dispatched easily, more powerful foes will keep you on your toes, potentially sending you flying across the arena if you're not careful.

As a gacha game, Black Beacon offers a variety of characters, each with unique combat styles and moves, ensuring that adding new characters to your roster feels impactful. Some characters are intriguing enough to make you want to delve deeper into their stories.

Playing The Beta

If Black Beacon piques your interest, you can join the global beta test. Android users can download it from Google Play, while iOS users can test it through TestFlight, though spots are limited. Simply follow the provided link to sign up, download the game, and explore the first five chapters.

If you're enjoying the beta, consider pre-registering. Pre-registering via the official website nets you 10 Development Material Boxes, while Google Play pre-registration offers an exclusive costume for Zero.

It's still early days to predict if Black Beacon will become the next gacha sensation, but we're definitely keen to see how it evolves.