Konami announce the sequel to Lost In Blue at the Leipzig Games Convention.

During the Games Convention at Leipzig, Konami revealed that they have been working on a sequel to Lost In Blue. Funny enough, the title of this sequel has been uninspiringly named as "Lost In Blue 2."

What is inspiring, however, is the touch screen usage within this game. The original won fans over due to its intuitive control system. That is making a welcome return, but is being improved upon.

For Lost in Blue 2, Konami has worked to build on the basis of the original game to create an even deeper, more involving sequel. Once again, the player is cast as a young man who, along with a female friend, is washed up on the beach of an apparently deserted island. Working together, the pair must search for a way off the island, but also survive the many dangers that lay ahead.

The game has been designed to force the player into thinking about how they would survive in such an environment. Initially, this involves finding food and weapons, before exploring the island. But, as in real life, exploration is tiring, so the pair must rest, drink water to avoid dehydration, and find further means of sustenance - especially as the mountainous nature of the island also necessitates the heroes climbing steep rock faces and hills.

In addition to the physical elements the pair faces, Lost in Blue 2 also makes more extensive use of the touch screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS. Items are easily collected and examined by the player, while the stylus is now used for carpentry, wicker work, cooking food that would otherwise make the heroes ill, and skin diving. The two characters also boast individual skills, with the male character more physically adept at climbing, fighting and recovering his energy levels, while the girl is more accurate with a bow and arrow, can hold her breath underwater for longer and is more adept at finding ingredients for meals.

Pretty exciting stuff. Fans of the original may be interested in this, and newcomers may find that this title is one to simply look out for. We can expect to see this game hitting stores in the early part of next year.

We'll bring you more information on this as soon as it comes.