IF someone told you that a classic film noir tale was going to be mixed with a horror story you probably would not believe them.

But that is exactly what Barcelona indie developer, A Crowd Of Monsters, have created with Blues & Bullets, a game that both defies and surpasses expectations.

The highly stylised game sees you play as former detective Eliot Ness, a member of 'The Untouchables', who took down Al Capone 20 years ago.

He is drawn back into the crime world when a number of children are abducted in the fictional city of Santa Esperanza with some sinister discoveries along the way.

Blues & Bullets pays homage to film noir with its murky characters and shadowy black and white world.

There is also a splash of red here and there for impact – or to horrify when it comes to the crime scenes – and this seems to have taken its cue from Frank Miller's Sin City.

As for the gameplay, Blues & Bullets shares a lot of traits with the critically-acclaimed Life Is Strange which is all about choice and consequence.

Both are part of the new trend to release games in an episodic format with five parts set to be released over a 'season'.

Blues & Bullets and Life Is Strange also both focus on the decisions you make which will alter the outcome of the experience and makes it more personal to the player. It is excellently done.

But on top of that, there are also action scenes.

The shootouts bring back memories of Max Payne and although some will dislike these 'on rail' sequences it is fun and the controls are responsive.

The only disappointment is the simplistic and unengaging quick time event, button jabbing for the combat.

Blues & Bullets is proof that you do not need a huge studio but rather vision and determination to make a great game. 

The voice talent is also excellent with Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher 2 and 3) as Elliott Ness, backed by Jules de Jongh (Faith from Mirror's Edge) as Delphine.

- Blues & Bullets is out now for Xbox One priced £3.99 for episode one.

RATING: 7/10