Om Nom fans are going to have a very happy Christmas indeed this year.

Zeptolab is set to release Cut the Rope 2 as an App Store exclusive on December 19th, reports have confirmed.

According to IGN and other sources, the first true sequel to the hugely popular candy-filled franchise will see Om Nom abducted by spiders in a hot air balloon.

To save Om Nom, you must take charge of five new characters called Nommies and execute a rescue mission over 120 new levels. These levels will take place over five locations: a junkyard, a forest, an underground settting, a park, and a sandy dam.

Each of the Nommies will have specific abilities suited to different challenges. For example, Roto will be able to carry Om Nom around levels, while Boo makes Om Nom leap to higher locations by scaring the bejeesus out of him.

The hungry green critter will also be assisted by other Nommies named Blue, Toss, and Lick. And, in a Cut the Rope first, you'll be able to reposition Om Nom himself during levels, opening up an additional layer of tactical possibilities.

Between the new characters and fresh mechanics, Cut the Rope 2 is shaping up to be the most radical deviation from the original formula the series has ever seen. As far as we're concerned, December 19th can't come soon enough.