Dutch development studio, Grendel Games recently got in touch with us regarding an intriguing new arcade action game called Diatomic which they plan to bring to WiiWare soon. Here’s what they told us:
Diatomic is a hectic arcade action title that focuses on making choices between defensive or offensive play. The player controls a diatomic protagonist equipped with a deadly tail that can be used as a whip or curled around its body as a shield. Defend your petri dish and destroy the invading diatoms. Collect the mystic spinergy power ups and engage in the all-devastating spinball move to obliterate your enemies. Stack bonus after bonus, hold the multipliers and become top-dog at the leader boards.
We curiously asked them if the gameplay might be similar to Geometry Wars and this is what they had to say:
Diatomic does share some similarities with Geometry Wars in the sense that it's true to form arcade gameplay. Our graphics also have a vibrant touch to them, just like diatoms under an electronic microscope.
The pace and play style themselves couldn't differ more. Diatomic is very physical, as the player needs to whip the tail to destroy enemies, or to shield itself from their attacks and ricochet incoming fire.
We’ll get our hands on some screenshots over the next few weeks to show you, but until then you can enjoy some artwork which shows some of the microscopic bad guys you will have to face in this game:
1. Draygone
16 Feb 2009, 14:31 GMT
The fact that your primary weapon/shield is a tail catches my interest. Even if you are a micro-organism.
2. pikmin95
16 Feb 2009, 14:31 GMT
Looks like a metroid.
3. Turkey Brutus
16 Feb 2009, 15:01 GMT
The option of defensive play could be an interesting one...if they see it through, that is. Hopefully it's not just like having a shield in the Legend of Zelda; however defensive you are, you're still required to kill frequently to complete your goal. Nothing WRONG with that, of course, but if that's what to expect here then it's hardly worth mentioning.
To actually have an option for full and complete defensiveness...that could be a really fun innovation.
4. Awesome5
16 Feb 2009, 15:18 GMT
The art looks pretty cool, with all of those glowing bacteria things. I'm definitely keeping my eye on this one.
EDIT: What the heck!? My non-existant avatar morphed into an existing one... weird...
5. XCWarrior
16 Feb 2009, 15:25 GMT
I'm kind of intrigued. Can't wait to see a trailer to see it in action. WW seems to be getting all the unique titles.
6. KnucklesSonic8
16 Feb 2009, 15:30 GMT
Looking forward to hearing more on this. The WiiWare scene keeps getting better and better, hm?
7. PALgamer
16 Feb 2009, 15:32 GMT
Reminds me of Flow rather than Geometry Wars, with whipping rather than eating.
8. Bahamut ZERO
16 Feb 2009, 15:33 GMT
@Knuckles: Yeah, WW is picking up.
But for the game...... its looks okay, but I'll have to wait for more details before I say "Must-buy" or "hell no."
9. Wiiloveit
16 Feb 2009, 15:47 GMT
This sounds awesome - I can't wait to give it a whirl, especially if it really is similar to Geometry Wars!
10. Popyman
16 Feb 2009, 15:54 GMT
Sounds pretty cool. Killing stuff with a tail FTW!
11. mojo25
16 Feb 2009, 15:54 GMT
Hmm, very unique, but IMO, it might get a little boring...unless there is a twist or something. I'm going to keep an eye on this one.
12. Objection_Blaster
16 Feb 2009, 16:09 GMT
The gameplay and one screenshot remind me of a mix between Geometry Wars and the cell stages in Spore. Could be cool.
13. KDR_11k
16 Feb 2009, 16:14 GMT
I'm undecided. Xbla is already flooded with dual analog shooters and while this game uses a melee weapon instead that doesn't seem terribly different to me.
14. Javet
16 Feb 2009, 16:27 GMT
Looks really cool! I can't wait to see more!
15. Bahamut ZERO
16 Feb 2009, 16:37 GMT
@KDR: Well, the Wii dosnt have dual analog, so Im wondering what they could do
16. Mayhem
16 Feb 2009, 16:38 GMT
Colour me interested. The art style is definitely a winner imo.
17. Kokstra
16 Feb 2009, 16:44 GMT
YAY DUTCH!
18. blockhead
16 Feb 2009, 16:59 GMT
seems intresting
19. themortalangel
16 Feb 2009, 17:19 GMT
I love the graphic style and the idea of defensive play sounds intriguing, can't wait to hear more
20. Pink Rabbit
16 Feb 2009, 17:47 GMT
what can I say? The Dutch rule!!
21. Ricardo91
16 Feb 2009, 18:16 GMT
Looks kinda like the spore stage in Spore.
A Geometry Wars-style game that lets you kill things with your tail? Sounds like a winner to me!
22. Nintendo-Naut
16 Feb 2009, 18:43 GMT
I dunno...
23. Mickeymac
16 Feb 2009, 19:02 GMT
Why are so many people ripping off Super Stardust? Evasive Space, Power-up Forever(the definitive Stardust ripoff), and now this? Sheesh!
Never mind, it sounds like a variation of Flow. I can play Flow for free, si I'll pass on this one.
24. Olimar_91
16 Feb 2009, 19:09 GMT
Could be good. I'll definitely keep an eye on this one
25. jpfan1989
16 Feb 2009, 19:35 GMT
Some of those enemies remind me of Metroid.
26. Flaviohmg
16 Feb 2009, 19:46 GMT
WiiWare is getting all kinds of games! That's good!
27. JohnshiBRPG
16 Feb 2009, 20:10 GMT
This game has to be good!
28. That Guy from Faxanadu
16 Feb 2009, 20:16 GMT
Nice visual style.
29. Aardvark Soup
16 Feb 2009, 20:17 GMT
I don't know yet. I'll wait for its release and the review. I'll probably download it if it turns out to be good. Anyway, it can't hurt to support the Dutch game industry.
30. -TR
16 Feb 2009, 20:54 GMT
Looks rather nice, I'd say.
31. KDR_11k
16 Feb 2009, 21:31 GMT
Don't you mean Asteroids, the game that Super Stardust is a clone of?
32. StarDust
16 Feb 2009, 21:46 GMT
@KDR_11k: Super StarDust? Hmmm, that's my screenname, LOL!
Those enemies are really pretty! I bought Geometry Wars on DS a while back but haven't played it yet.
33. lockelocke
16 Feb 2009, 23:41 GMT
my eye is officially caught
34. beastman93
16 Feb 2009, 23:45 GMT
Sweetness! I be after this one when it comes out!
35. SilentJ
16 Feb 2009, 23:49 GMT
Can't wait for more info on this.
@lockelocke
Nice avatar. It's been a while since I've seen A Boy and His Blob anywhere.
36. Razoredge17
17 Feb 2009, 02:50 GMT
I'm really interested in this, and I also thought the enemies had a metroid style flair to them.
37. Shadx
17 Feb 2009, 06:15 GMT
Looking pretty cool. The graphics do remind me of Geometry Wars quite a bit actually.
Can't wait for a trailer.
38. Twilight Crow
17 Feb 2009, 08:32 GMT
This one looks good; actually, there has been many good announcements for Wiiware lately.
39. Sean Aaron
17 Feb 2009, 11:04 GMT
Looks sexy. I had Geometry Wars, but it felt thin for a disc release so I sold it. Wouldn't mind seeing that again as a WiiWare title as well.
Last game I remember playing with a tail as defensive weapon was Saint Dragon in the arcade which is pretty nifty if you can find it.
40. Chrono Cross
18 Feb 2009, 01:23 GMT
“Looks sexy, I had Geometry Wars, but it felt thin for a disc release”
The word Sexy? Geometry Wars? Disc?
Am I on WWW?
41. Objection_Blaster
19 Feb 2009, 01:53 GMT
@Crono-Geometry Wars Galaxies was on Wii.
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