Mongil: Star Dive preview – “Colourful personalities and fast-paced combat, with a side of monster-taming”

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  • Memorable personalities and characters
  • Gorgeous presentation and fast-paced combat
  • Monster-taming is literally an accessory

Let’s tackle an issue upfront – the game title Star Dive isn’t overly memorable in my viewpoint. I had certain expectations (and many others I’ve spoken to concur, not forgetting the Reddit community) based on its name alone. However, despite a less-than-ideal title, I found myself immersed and enjoying every moment of it thoroughly.

In the game Mongil: Star Dive, you embark on the story of Cloud and Verna who ascend through the Adventurer ranks, capturing creatures as they go. Their journey, as anticipated, is filled with numerous unexpected events, one of which presents itself in the form of an unusual feline character named Nyanners.

Besides being the cutest creature I’ve ever come across, Nyanners possesses an extraordinary ability to pacify various wild animals in ways that are equally charming. I call this endearing character “Chubbs.” By ingesting a monster’s essence entirely, Nyanners can then expel it as a keychain, which you can attach to your belt for added benefits to your team. This process is not only fascinating but also incredibly adorable!

Now, if that sentence sounds absolutely bonkers, that’s because it is – and I am all for it.

Adventuring antics and monster mayhem

Yes, taming a monster means having Nyanners poop out a compact version of it, and the more Nyanners does it, the more he levels up. This, in turn, boosts your monster-taming capabilities too, so not only does adding a monster to your roster look nice in your collection, but it also offers buffs like boosted Crit rates and physical attacks to the character you attach it to.

If, similar to me, your instinct when embarking on a “monster-taming” journey is to make your acquired creatures fight one another, you could find yourself feeling let down, just like I did, to discover that this is not the way it works in this particular game.

Tamed monsters won’t accompany you everywhere in your journey, more like decorative items instead of pets. However, the urge to gather them all is still very much present.

This is due to the fact that these creatures are incredibly adorable, making them extremely difficult to resist. For instance, even in my own base, there’s a Cappy that looks like a mushroom and seems unable to get up, constantly flailing on the ground. If I could somehow gently guide it in the correct direction, I certainly would.

The intricate designs aren’t limited to just the visuals; they also apply to the characters themselves, with Cloud and Verna standing out as particularly vibrant personalities. It’s a breath of fresh air to see main characters who are not just plain but possess unique and distinct personas.

Not only are they skilled fighters, but their compelling narrative has drawn me completely in. In fact, it’s the storyline that stands out the most for me.

A world of wonder

Thanks to the gorgeous visuals, I was all too eager to explore the world around me in Mongil: Star Dive. Everything is crisp, stunning, and action-packed, and I found myself in wide-eyed wonder the whole time I was exploring.

It’s captivating that every character in your diverse team stands out uniquely, avoiding typical anime stereotypes. During the Closed Beta Test, there were no gacha features present whatsoever.

It’s intriguing to consider the approach they’ll take for monetization within this game, given that each character you uncover becomes accessible simply by advancing through the role-playing game, and the creatures you subdue can be found roaming freely in the wild.

Combat is a fast-paced affair that reminds me too much of
Zenless Zone Zero
, which is not at all a bad thing. You can freely switch between partymates on the fly to unleash devastating (and exhilaratingly flashy) combos against your foes, with different skill animations that will play out depending on your commands.

Occasionally, even sweet Nyanners might get caught up in the chaotic ruckus using quick-time actions. This means if you press the correct keys at opportune moments, you can wreak havoc on your adversaries while maintaining an incredibly fashionable demeanor.

Ready to dive in

Overall, Mongil: Star Dive is a promising new entry into the saturated world of action RPGs on mobile, mainly because of its protagonists’ colourful personalities and its added monster-taming feature.

Although it doesn’t involve typical monster-on-monster battles, it remains a delightful journey due to its stunning graphics, charming music, and thrilling fights. I eagerly await its formal release so I can reunite with my cherished companion, Chubbs, once more.

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2025-06-27 18:18