Title: Montabi (demo)
Developer: Mankibo
Publisher: Akupara Games
Release Date: 8/6/2026
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Reviewed On: Steam Deck
Synopsis
Love collecting little creatures and doing battle? Montabi provides a roguelike deck builder with a little bit of that “Pokémon-essence”. Choose your trainer and starter Montabi to save the city from baddies! The story’s premise provides a simple yet effective foundation to build your own team and experience an unique journey with each run.
For the June 2026 Steam Next Fest, the developers released an updated demo for Montabi. They’ve made improvements based on previous feedback and made the following changes:
- New area/events: Subway Station
- New Montabi: Kaibug
- New room: Stickards
- New content: Holo Stickers, Charm, Equipment, Supplies
- New passive: Montabi third evolution and Trainer rank up
- Additional Languages: Traditional Chinese, German, French, and Korean
- Quality of life improvements
Despite these improvements, the developers hope for more feedback to further refine the game before it launches this August!
Analysis
Gameplay
At its core, Montabi is a deckbuilding roguelike akin to Inscryption, Slay the Spire, and Balatro. You collect cards as you progress across a branching map. At each stop, you either do battle (e.g. standard, Elite, Boss), collect items (e.g. charms, equipment), heal or modify your deck, or experience random events.
The twist to Montabi is creature collection. At the start of each run, you select your trainer, each either varied attributes. You also select your starter Montabi. Each battle is turn-based, giving you plenty of time to strategize.
You first start by placing both you and up to two of your Montabi anywhere in the active grid. You and your Montabi each have HP and unique skills, and these skills are manifested as cards that cost AP. Each unit draws four cards per turn. Each unit gains three AP every turn and unused AP carries over. You also get a visual hint of what enemy will do next. If Montabi knocked out, you get three turns to get them back up. Injury cards received and will stack up over time.
After each victory, you have a chance to tame a new Montabi (like Pokémon) with a Montabi Biscuit. Upon leveling up, you get to pick one of three cards to add to your deck; however, exercise caution. Sometimes too many cards can be detrimental!
The battle system was relatively easy to learn and difficult to master, a balance that is hard to strike, and I think Montabi does it well. There were times however I had difficultly determined where my cursor was, as it can select just about anything, even things I cannot take action on. For example, in the branching map, I was able to select literally any spot, which at first made me think I can move in any direction; however, I learned it was still a linear and one-way path.
Art Style and Music
Montabi doubles down on its playful atmosphere with bright and colorful graphics, almost reminding me of a Scott Pilgrim comic art style. The Montabi themselves are adorable and unique, often a hybrid of existing items and creatures. Examples include Ruffen, a shark and wolf hybrid, Tonkey, a monkey with a skateboard for a tail, and Flamble, a log that…is on fire. The lively music also jives well with the game, and I never grew tired of it!
FINAL SCORE:
The Montabi demo is a delightful sample of what’s to come. There are lots of Montabi and skill cards that will allow for lots of replay ability. The Montabi designs are adorable, and I enjoyed learning all their different skillsets. The art style is refreshing and aligns with the “vibe” of the game. Because of all the detail, it may take some players to fully wrap their heads around the level of detail and strategy that can be employed with every run, and sometimes newbies (such as myself) can get a little lost when you can click (but not act upon) everything. Overall, it’s a solid fun time and worth keeping an eye out for, and given that this is still a demo, Montabi shows incredible promise to fans of roguelike deck builders!
Does Montabi sound like a game right up your alley? Please play the demo on Steam now and be sure to wish list the game.
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Featured Image Source: Mankino via Steam
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