Table of Contents
Montabi Sharpens Its Deckbuilder Formula with a Feature-Packed New Demo
akuIndonesia continues to grow its presence in the global indie space, and Montabi has quickly emerged as one of the region’s most promising creature battlers.
Developed by Mankibo, the title stands apart by blending monster collecting, roguelike structure and deckbuilding strategy into a single hybrid format. Its June 2025 demo drew positive attention from players who appreciated the combination of original monster designs, tactical thinking and evolving card-based combat.
Now, the studio has released a significant update that pushes the project forward in several meaningful ways.
A Deeper and More Strategic Demo Experience
Demo 0.2, launched on November 27, expands the core systems considerably. The update introduces a new Elite enemy named El Puncho and a new Boss, Mr Alchevine, both designed to test party composition and deck synergy more rigorously. The battlefield has also been spaced out to improve readability and enemy positioning, allowing players to engage more tactically as encounters become progressively more complex.
Every playable Montabi and the Trainer now have reworked and expanded decks. Each creature carries 25 to 30 skill cards, while the Trainer commands a deck of 35 to 40 cards. These additions reinforce Montabi’s identity as a strategy-driven battler where deck construction and adaptation are as crucial as the creatures you choose to evolve.
Trainer Progression and Third Stage Evolutions
One of the most significant additions is the Trainer rank-up system. As players progress, the Trainer becomes stronger and unlocks new passive abilities that influence both the battlefield and the broader run.
Montabi themselves can now evolve to a third stage, unlocking new passives that support different playstyles. This evolution layer builds on the series’ Pokémon-like inspirations while offering more granular control through the deckbuilder framework.
The introduction of seventeen pieces of Equipment further diversifies player options. These items unlock new bonuses and create opportunities for deeper synergy between attacks, defensive tools and unique creature abilities.
New Systems and Better Accessibility
Demo 0.2 also adds several features that make each run more personal. Players can now select a starting Charm, including three new options for the Trainer. Cards can be removed at the Café, which encourages long-term deck tuning, and the overall level-up progression has been reworked for smoother pacing.
Localisation is another core focus of the update. Montabi now supports Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Indonesian, dramatically widening its reach and allowing more players to engage with the game’s evolving systems.
Quality of Life Enhancements Strengthen the Foundation
Beyond new content, Mankibo has implemented multiple improvements based on community feedback. Faster animations, refined double-click behaviour, and general usability improvements make the demo feel more responsive. The combination of new content and smoother gameplay reinforces the game’s position as one of the most polished early-stage indie projects emerging from Southeast Asia.
Montabi does not yet have a confirmed release date, but with each iteration, it continues to grow into a compelling creature-collecting deckbuilder with clear international potential.
The Demo 0.2 version is now available on Steam for players eager to explore its expanded systems.
