Yes, that’s right. Akupara Games have revealed a creature-collector roguelike deckbuilder is being developed by Mankibo under the title Montabi. Everything is being roguelike deckbuildered and now, Pokemon are getting a platform. It’s about time. Montabi is pitched as a game where you build your deck by taming and assembling a team of Montabi. Engage in thrilling turn-based battles, utilize Montabi‘s unique abilities, and assemble a synergistic team. Let’s see what else is in store for us.
Ah, the art is fun although the game looks a little slow for my taste. More importantly, it doesn’t look like the monster designs are just riffs on Pokemon, one even looks just like a battered shrimp, so that’s cool. I bet it’s got a really good story hook though to pull us in.
On a quest to save the city, you’ll need to assemble a team of faithful companions as you battle your way through unforgiving streets. Brainstorm, battle, and brawl as you unlock sick new moves evolving your Montabi into the ultimate fighting force. Featuring a unique 3×3 grid-based system, every fight will demand maximum brain power as you balance offense and defense. Will your Montabi rise to dominance, or be crushed under the enemy’s might?
Well, alright. We’ve got to save the city, although I’m not sure what city. The trailer shows off the 3×3 grid battle system, and it does look novel, sort of like a completely turn-based Battle Network style game. I always think I’m going to get sick of new roguelikes, especially deckbuilders, but I never do. It even looks like there’s evolution in Montabi. On the Steam page, I saw a Carpod turn into a Taxipod, which is cute. As someone who isn’t a big fan of Pokémon games, I always thought the main appeal was capturing cute critters and having them be part of your team on a grand adventure. So I’ll defer to our resident Pokémon expert, Joe Bariso, on what he thinks is great about the Pokémon games.
Pokemon is the one franchise that appeals to my childhood fantasy of being a zoologist and categorizing new animals/environments.
Oh alright, well, maybe Montabi will hit with that crowd. Let’s see what all we’ll be doing when playing Montabi.
Montabi Key Features
- Build Your Deck By Taming – If you’re going to be the big hero and save the city, you’ve gotta get some Montabi! Each Montabi has a unique set of skills, giving you and your party of three endless combinations of options and synergies. Collect gadgets, equip charms, and chart the path to victory!
- Evolve, Learn New Skills – Train your Montabi to grow stronger, unlocking new moves to enhance your team’s strategy. As they level up, your Montabi evolve into more powerful forms, gaining new card abilities and expanding your tactical options. If you work together, there’s nothing you and your Montabi can’t achieve!
- Outsmart Your Opponents – Deploy your best strategies to beat up the bad guys in a unique 3×3 grid-based system. With every Montabi’s unique abilities, you’ll have endless options to outthink the competition and win the day. Just make sure you rest up at a cafe every now and then to recover those hit points!
- Choose Your Trainer – Select from diverse trainers, each with a unique playstyle. Do you wanna put your team in the perfect position, get right up in their faces and duke it out, or buff up your Montabi with a hearty meal? When the city’s at stake, everyone pitches in! Just make sure to stay safe! Like the king in chess, if your trainer is defeated, the game ends.
- Try All Montabi – 60+ Montabi planned for release, each with a unique and distinct playstyle. Choose your favorite!
Developer Mankibo and publisher Akupara Games have no official release date set for Montabi but they’re real excited about it and want to let you know that if you wanna help, you can wishlist the game on the Montabi Steam page. And as I’m always yapping about, the best way to help an indie dev pre-release is to wishlist their game so if Montabi has even a lil’ bit of appeal to you, throw ’em a wishlist. And don’t forget to keep checking MonsterVine for more updates on Montabi and whatever else Akupara Games wants to show off.
