MOUSE: P.I. For Hire

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a 2026 indie first-person shooter developed by Polish studio Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios. Released on April 16, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch 2, it is a highly stylized, fast-paced “boomer shooter” that brilliantly collides gritty, hardboiled film noir with the bouncy, black-and-white “rubber hose” animation style of 1930s cartoons like Steamboat Willie and Betty Boop.

Core Concept and Story

Set in 1934 within the seedy, corrupt metropolis of Mouseburg, the game leans heavily into classic detective fiction tropes—but with a rodent-themed twist.

You play as Jack Pepper (voiced by prolific gaming actor Troy Baker), an anthropomorphic mouse who serves as a disgraced former cop, war hero, and currently struggling private investigator. Taking odd jobs to fuel his gambling habits, Jack is quickly dragged into a massive conspiracy involving missing actresses, mayoral elections, and warring mobsters. The world-building is highly satirical; instead of alcohol and narcotics, Mouseburg is plagued by “cheeselegging” (where melted cheese is consumed like liquor, and powdered blue cheese is treated like illicit street drugs).

Gameplay and Features

Despite its vintage wrapper, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a thoroughly modern, highly kinetic arena shooter that embraces the absurd logic of classic cartoons:

• The Rubber Hose Aesthetic: This is the game’s undeniable triumph. Every enemy, weapon, and NPC is meticulously hand-drawn in 2D and placed into a 3D environment. The animations are constantly bouncing with elastic fluidity.
• Slapstick Violence: The combat perfectly merges high-octane FPS action with cartoon comedy. Instead of blood, enemies explode into splatters of black ink or crumble into dust. The weapons reflect this era as well, utilizing a tommy gun, dynamite (which triggers comical, charred-face explosions), and power-ups like chugging a can of spinach to instantly bulk up and pummel enemies with your fists, much like Popeye.
• Fluid Traversal: Jack is incredibly agile. As you progress through the game’s 20+ linear chapters (exploring film studios, mansions, and riverboats), you unlock movement abilities like double-jumping, grappling, and wall-running to navigate the vertical arenas.
• The Jazz Soundtrack: The relentless, fast-paced shootouts are entirely underscored by an incredible, original big-band jazz soundtrack that perfectly captures the frantic energy of 1930s cinema.

Reception and The “Window Dressing” Detective Work

Having just launched in April 2026, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has been met with glowing, “Very Positive” reviews, sitting comfortably in the mid-to-high 80s on Metacritic.

Critics and players have universally praised Fumi Games for nailing the visual presentation; the game is frequently compared to a first-person Cuphead due to its sheer dedication to the bit. Troy Baker’s gravelly, rapid-fire delivery as Jack Pepper was also highlighted as the perfect anchor for the game’s witty, lighthearted tone.

However, the game did receive some mild criticism regarding its namesake. Despite playing as a “P.I.”, the actual investigative mechanics in the game are entirely automated. While you do find clues and pin them to a corkboard, the game connects the dots for you, making the detective work feel like narrative window dressing rather than a genuine gameplay mechanic. Additionally, some reviewers noted that the enemy variety wears a bit thin by the final chapters.

Quick Note

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is an absolute visual feast and a triumph of indie art direction.

In short: If you go into it expecting a deep, cerebral detective puzzle game like L.A. Noire, you will be disappointed. But if you want a buttery-smooth, violently funny retro shooter where you can blast mafia rats with a cartoon shotgun while an upbeat jazz band plays in the background, it is an incredibly charming, must-play experience.