While announced a while ago there has been little information revealed about de Blob: Underground, until now.

de Blob was a very unique game when it was released a few years ago on the Wii. Players got to paint whole cities and run out the evil INKT Corporation and it was certainly one of the most colouful and vivid titles to be released on the Wii. While it may not have been seen as a huge success to some it has been granted a sequel, de Blob: Underground, due out next year.

The developer Blue Tongue has expanded upon, improved and refreshed the original game to ensure that the sequel isn't just more of the same but is instead something new, exciting and even better than the first. The game picks up after the first title and the storyline has been expanded. In de Blob: Underground Comrade Black has made a comeback and has formed a religious cult called The Blanks and is convincing the downtrodden citizens of Prisma City to give up their colour. Blob must fight to stop this and return colour to the world. This storyline runs throughout and informs each of the game's 12 levels.

Blue Tongue has also listened to feedback and criticisms of the first title and has removed the flick-to-jump control and instead replaced it with the A button. New attacks and power-ups, such as a temporary shield, regeneration and a supercharged mode, have also been promised to keep the gameplay fresh for those who have played the first.

One of the biggest changes to this title is the ability to head into underground sections, during which the perspective will shift to 2D and the focus will be on combat. Over 100 of these environments are promised for the game and given how long the levels lasted on the first title it seems like there will be a lot of mileage in this sequel. For those who enjoyed the original but felt that the levels could sometimes last too long you will be relieved to learn that the "transform all" points now act as save points too, meaning you can dip in and out for a quick game.

A new opt in and opt out two-to-four-player co-operative mode will also be included during the story mode so that your friends can take part in the painting fun. A new sidekick character, a robot named Pinky, has been unveiled but it is not known yet who the other players will play as in this co-operative mode.

More humour, satire and pop culture references have been promised to keep players amused as well as entertained. With references to an Orwellian society, National Lampoon and Chinese politics it seems that the game's story has been vastly improved and promises to be just as enjoyable as the gameplay.

The game is due to be shown at E3 next week so stay tuned to the site for updated information. For a video interview with gameplay clips check the source at the bottom of this article.