Vivendi Universal Games has today announced that it will release Van Helsing for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in spring 2004. Based on the movie of the same name, the game will see players assuming the titular role of Bram Stoker's monster hunter as he travels through 19th century Transylvania on a mission to hunt down Dracula, Wolf Man, and the Frankenstein monster before darkness engulfs the world.

　　"The Van Helsing game puts a fresh, exciting and contemporary twist on some of the most legendary characters to ever appear in print or film," said Luc Vanhal, president and COO of VU Games in North America. "Paralleling and expanding on the epic events of the film, the game offers players a cinematic action experience packed with nightmarish creatures, furious combat and daring escapes."

　　As they travel through Transylvania hunting down Stoker's most famous monsters, players will encounter numerous other enemies including stone gargoyles, banshees, and the like. Players will have access to a formidable arsenal that, in addition to Van Helsing's signature grappling hook, will include tojo blades, scimitars, pistols, a shotgun, and a hand-cranked gatling gun.

　　"Van Helsing builds on the legacy of Universal's monster franchise, while bringing a new, dark hero simultaneously to movie and video game screens," said Bill Kispert, vice president, Interactive, Universal Studios consumer products group. "The haunting world created by the filmmakers, and the interpretation of these legendary characters as we have never seen them before, offers a fantastic jumping off point to develop an emotional and atmospheric action game experience."

　　Van Helsing is currently in development at Saffire Studios and is currently scheduled for release in spring next year. We'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.