When Black Beacon was first announced, I was instantly hyped—especially after finding out that some of the creative team behind Punishing: Gray Raven were involved. That game first launched in China in December 2019 and reached global audiences in July 2021, and I remember enjoying its first few months immensely. PGR nailed the gacha mechanics and combat loop better than most of its peers—it was stylish, rewarding, and far less predatory than Genshin Impact or that horrendous Pokémon Unite mobile system.
So when Black Beacon finally released globally on April 10, 2025, I jumped in right away. At first, though, the experience was rough—plagued with crashes and slowdowns on my phone. I uninstalled it after a day, telling myself I’d return once the devs ironed things out. Fast-forward a few months later, and Black Beacon was suddenly all over YouTube—mostly for the wrong reasons.
Content creators were posting about delays, development troubles, and missed updates, while community rumors spread that the devs had moved offices and that the game had no clear roadmap. Despite the negativity, I noticed that those videos were getting heavy backlash from loyal fans, which made me curious enough to reinstall the game and see for myself.
And honestly? I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
Story-a mix of theology and science
What immediately stood out to me was the story. Black Beacon blends biblical myth, ancient history, and dystopian science fiction into a world that feels mysterious but strangely familiar. You’ll encounter themes pulled from the Tower of Babel, King Herod, and even the Morning Star, alongside nods to ancient rulers like King Darius and Akhenaten, the Egyptian pharaoh who tried to shift polytheism into monotheism.
While some names and details have been changed to fit the game’s narrative, the historical parallels are clear. It’s the kind of writing that makes you pause and go, “Wait, I know that story.” For history buffs, these subtle references feel like Easter eggs woven into a mobile game, and that’s what hooked me the most.
Zero, one of the game’s central figures, really anchors the experience. Her emotionless voice acting adds an air of class and restraint that fits the tone perfectly—it’s haunting but elegant. I’ll admit, I’m sorely tempted to whale just for the voice and the visuals alone.
Visuals — Class in Every Frame
The visuals of Black Beacon scream class. The thin golden hue that overlays much of the UI and backgrounds gives everything a luxurious, polished look. Character designs strike a fine balance between modern sci-fi and mythic elegance, while the environment design creates this sense of divine decay—a civilization that fell from grace but still gleams faintly in the dark.
Every cutscene feels cinematic, with beautifully rendered models and subtle camera movement that make even dialogue scenes captivating. Simply put, this is one of the most visually cohesive mobile titles I’ve seen all year.
Sound & Voice Acting — Emotionless, but with Intent
Audio design is where Black Beacon truly elevates itself. The soundtrack mixes orchestral swells with ambient tones that feel otherworldly. Voice performances are top-tier, especially Zero’s. Her cold, detached delivery contrasts perfectly with the chaos of the world around her. It’s a masterclass in restraint—proof that not all emotional impact needs to be loud or dramatic.
Gameplay — Smooth, Stylish, but Familiar
If you’ve played Punishing: Gray Raven or Zenless Zone Zero, you’ll feel right at home. Black Beacon delivers fast-paced action combat with sleek animations, combo-driven mechanics, and fluid dodge timing. Each character moves with a sense of weight and precision, and switching mid-combo feels seamless.
It’s responsive and cinematic, but not particularly groundbreaking—it follows the tried-and-true rhythm of stylish action titles, just polished to a shine. Still, the mix of flashy ultimates, well-choreographed boss fights, and challenging stages keeps things engaging even during grind-heavy segments.
Gacha System — Surprisingly Fair
Here’s where Black Beacon earns points: the gacha system isn’t predatory. Rates are decent, pity carries over, and premium currency isn’t locked behind extreme paywalls. It’s similar to early Punishing: Gray Raven, where free players could realistically build competitive teams through smart resource use.
Performance — Still Needs Work
Unfortunately, performance remains a sore point. Even months after launch, some mobile players (myself included) still experience crashes or frame drops on certain devices. There’s no official PC client, though some players have managed to run it on third-party emulators. This lack of proper PC support limits the audience and may hurt the game’s longevity.
Community & Concerns — Is Black Beacon Bound for EOS?
Even with its brilliance, Black Beacon is facing an uphill battle. Players on Reddit and Discord are worried that the game might face an early End of Service (EOS) if things don’t stabilize soon.
“They said the new version will be delayed to mid-October. So we either get that or (more likely) an EOS announcement very soon.”
— r/gachagaming
“The story is really good. I’m sticking around until EoS and hopefully they get to finish it.”
— r/gachagaming
“I absolutely love the game! … I can’t ignore the doomposting, but games have been worse and survived.”
— r/Black_Beacon
With Version 1.3 still nowhere to be seen, the concern feels legitimate. Delays, dev silence, and lack of updates have left the community anxious, even though the story and presentation remain strong.
As for me? I think we’ll just have to wait and see. If the developers can steady the ship and communicate clearly, Black Beacon still has a shot. But if things don’t settle soon—if the devs can’t get their act together—I believe this one might flatline eventually, which would be a shame. There’s so much potential here, but the lack of new content and PC support could break the game for sure.
Verdict
Black Beacon is one of those rare mobile games that genuinely feels artful. The story has soul, the visuals have identity, and the sound design ties it all together. It’s a modern myth, a digital scripture painted in gold and shadow.
But brilliance can only carry a game so far. If the developers don’t bring stability and fresh updates soon, even the most loyal players will drift away.
For now, though, Black Beacon stands as a stylish, story-driven masterpiece in danger of fading too soon—a bright flame in the dark, waiting for someone to keep it burning.
EZRetro Plays 