Droid Gamers: Explore the Black Beacon Global Beta Hands-On

Black Beacon: A Hands-On Look at the Global Beta Test of 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 inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' short story and the biblical Tower of Babel. This unique blend of literary and religious references creates a compelling atmosphere, a refreshing change from typical fantasy settings.

Players assume the role of The Seer, awakening in this enigmatic library with a weighty destiny: custodianship of the Library of Babel. The Seer's arrival triggers significant, and potentially ominous, changes within the library, including the emergence of a monstrous threat, time-travel anomalies, and a looming celestial danger.

Gameplay

Black Beacon features 3D free-roaming exploration with adjustable camera perspectives (top-down or free camera). Real-time combat emphasizes combo chaining and strategic character switching. Swapping characters mid-battle allows benched characters to regenerate stamina faster, adding a layer of tactical depth to the hack-and-slash action. Combat requires timing and awareness of enemy patterns, preventing it from becoming a simple button-mashing experience.

The gacha system introduces a diverse roster of characters, each with unique combat styles and moves, ensuring that acquiring new characters feels impactful. Several characters exhibit engaging personalities, encouraging player investment.

Playing the Beta

The global beta is accessible via Google Play (Android) and TestFlight (iOS, limited slots). The beta allows players to experience the first five chapters. Pre-registration is available on the official website (10 Development Material Boxes reward) and Google Play (exclusive Zero costume).

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