MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Review – Of Crimes and Cheese

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The developers of MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, Fumi Games, call their game a lovingly made story, created with dedication and passion. And that human touch is clear throughout the entire game, visible in every frame of its charming, classic cartoon animation.

In MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, you play as Jack Pepper, a war veteran turned detective, voiced by Troy Baker. What starts as a simple missing persons case quickly becomes much more complex, pulling Pepper into the dark and corrupt world of Mouseburg. This city is full of crime, with shady cops and politicians, and is populated entirely by mice and shrews. Throughout the twisting story, you’ll gather clues and battle a variety of enemies, from the mafia to corrupt law enforcement, and a few unusual characters. The game’s trailers clearly show its intentions, and thankfully, the story and gameplay generally live up to those ambitions.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire’s Story Never Stops Surprising

Fumi Games’ first-person shooter clearly draws inspiration from classic noir stories. It features a cynical mood, a focus on crime, a captivating female character, a gritty city setting, a strong visual style, and a sense that fate plays a big role. However, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire isn’t just a straightforward noir detective game. It playfully acknowledges noir tropes and generally delivers on what players expect from the genre. The main character, Pepper, is a bit different, though. He’s too fond of silly puns to be the typical tough, morally gray detective you often see in these kinds of stories.

Let’s be honest, MOUSE is full of puns. If you don’t enjoy that kind of playful humor, this probably isn’t for you.

As a big fan of the genre, I was really getting into the story’s twists and turns – it had everything I expected, but with a fun, almost cartoonish energy. It even surprised me by going in directions I didn’t see coming, like a hint of Lovecraftian horror that reminded me of those cool noir-inspired games from the 90s. It’s clear what the game is trying to do, and it mostly succeeds! However, if you really start picking apart the plot, a lot of the details and twists don’t actually end up mattering by the end of MOUSE. And honestly, while it’s a great detective story, the actual detective gameplay isn’t super strong – you spend more time experiencing the story than solving a case.

Beyond the main story, MOUSE is clearly a tribute to both classic and modern video games and pop culture. The game is packed with references and hidden details – or ‘Easter eggs’ – for fans of franchises like Resident Evil, Scooby-Doo, Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, and many more, including nods to Stan Lee, Ghostbusters, A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, Popeye, Super Mario, Grand Theft Auto, Doom, and South Park. These references aren’t just quick flashes; some are briefly mentioned while others play a bigger role in the story. Importantly, each reference is handled with care and isn’t overwhelming. Instead, they’re thoughtfully integrated into the game’s world, becoming a key part of the overall experience.

Other 2026 Games Are Going to Struggle Topping MOUSE: P.I. For Hire’s Charm

What truly sets MOUSE apart in the noir genre is its incredible atmosphere. From the moment the game starts, with jazzy scat singing setting the mood, it completely draws you in and never lets go. MOUSE is brimming with charm thanks to its original big band jazz soundtrack, beautifully designed environments, and lively user interface. The game’s rubberhose animation style creates a constant, upbeat rhythm that perfectly enhances the experience. Even small details, like the animated ammo indicators and health meter, contribute to the immersive and undeniably charming atmosphere without being distracting. Every animation works together to fully captivate players.

One of the best parts of the game MOUSE is how enemies die. The death animations are consistently fun to watch, and I often pause mid-fight just to see them. With around a dozen weapons and several different enemies, each death is unique depending on how it happens. While some animations do repeat, they’re still really well done and entertaining.

MOUSE’s Combat is a Vehicle for Everything Else

MOUSE is a first-person shooter with a lot to offer, and like many games of its type, it’s a substantial experience. It took me about 14 hours to finish the game, and the combat felt like it stretched every one of those hours. While the shooting mechanics are decent and serve their purpose, they’re very noticeable throughout the game. Sometimes it feels like you’re on a fixed path with enemies rushing directly at you, but at its best, the combat is fast-paced and intense, similar to a chaotic round of Call of Duty Zombies.

As a player, the game basically has me going back and forth between Pepper’s office – which is like the main base – and the different levels out in the city. Once I’m in a level, it’s mostly about fighting enemies to get to the end, grabbing a clue or two, and then heading back. Honestly, I’m in combat about 90% of the time! The other 10% is spent doing pretty simple stuff – a little bit of platforming, finding hidden areas, or solving easy puzzles. They really nailed the lockpicking mini-game though – it’s the best I’ve played in years, and those little puzzle moments are satisfying. But let’s be real, this game is all about the shooting!

In this game, you advance by defeating all enemies in each area. Jack Pepper leaves no survivors, and the game keeps combat interesting with a variety of elements. You’ll have access to around a dozen different guns, each offering unique tactical options, and the limited ammo forces you to switch weapons frequently – you can’t rely on just one favorite. Adding to the action are temporary power-ups, similar to the Fire Flower in Mario, as well as melee boosts, explosive objects, and cleverly designed levels. Dropping an anvil on your enemies is always a satisfying tactic!

The game offers a good mix of level lengths early on, with some taking around 15 minutes and others lasting up to 45. This variety keeps the gameplay feeling fresh. However, as the game progresses, levels become consistently longer, which actually disrupts the flow. Frequent save points also contribute to pacing issues. You can save at typewriters roughly every five minutes, and combined with the auto-save feature, you’re guaranteed not to lose any progress – though this can also make the game feel less challenging.

Eventually, Mouse‘s gameplay becomes repetitive, with the final few hours feeling like a retread of what you’ve already played. This is especially frustrating because the frequent saving mechanic highlights how little actually changes. New abilities are unlocked throughout the game, but they don’t feel meaningfully different – you can usually get by with just the first couple, even in areas that seem designed for later skills. Plus, the optional side quests are sparse and don’t offer much reward for completion, adding little overall value to the experience.

Mouse Passes Its Own Vibe Check

Despite borrowing some elements from typical shooter games, MOUSE is a delightful and original experience, and it succeeds brilliantly. Fumi Games clearly invested a lot of passion and hard work into MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, and that effort really shines through, making it one of the most charming and unique shooters available in a long time.

The detective adventure game, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, launches on April 16th for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S. Versions for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One will be available at a later date. Game Rant received a PC code to review the game.

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2026-04-14 18:07