Mouse P.I. For Hire Review

I always appreciate and love indie titles, as they all offer a key feeling that we usually do not get from the major studios’ titles. 2026 has been a blast so far with the games, and it is only destined to get better, but I did not expect it to happen that soon when I got to experience the Mouse P.I. For Hire. Honestly, I did not even hear about this title, so I did not have any expectations and turned it on with a free mind, and oh boy, it just made me realize again why indie titles are so important in this industry. Fumi Games, an indie game developer from Poland, managed to make such an amazing experience as their debut title. This is our review of Mouse P.I. For Hire, developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios.

Review copy of Mouse P.I. For Hire was provided by the Devs.

Story and World

Mouse P.I. For Hire is set in Mouseburg (city) in the 1930s after The Quite Big Affair event. The city is a web of organized crime, corrupt cops, and shady politicians. Moreover, the city is home to mice and shrews. You play as Jack Pepper, a war hero turned private detective, following a simple missing persons case. However, the case quickly escalates into a noir thriller, introducing mob bosses, crooked law enforcement, and political corruption. The story very much gives the vibe of L.A. Noire, but with its own charm and humor.

The setting of Mouse P.I. For Hire is what makes it so unique. It is a blend of playful 1930s cartoon humor and a mix of gritty noir atmosphere, entirely in black-and-white rubber hose animation. You will get to witness a cool and nostalgic design of a new place in every mission, from dark alleys to smoky jazz clubs, and underground boxing rings.

Gameplay

Mouse P.I. For Hire is a first-person boomer-shooter, heavily inspired by the retro FPS titles, like DOOM and Duke Nukem. Despite the fact that it is a detective game, it is more of a shooter than solving puzzles and cases, which can be a bit disappointing for some players. You will find hidden notes, objects, or symbols, which you can then place together to progress. However, these puzzles are not like something you usually encounter in story detective games like L.A. Noire or Alan Wake II. The puzzles are usually there to fill up the whole gap of being a detective looking to uncover Mouseburg’s corruption. All main story puzzles are designed to be completed quickly, so you don’t miss out on the fun part (shooting) for long.

Every mission or main job starts as a noir-style investigation, which quickly escalates into shootouts against cartoon villains, gangs, and corrupt cops. I do not mind the whole shooting and gunplay in Mouse P.I. For Hire, as it is quite good compared to the retro FPS titles. You get to engage in numerous shootouts throughout a mission. Clear the room of the enemies, look around for some extras or a hidden pathway, and then continue ahead. All of this sounds quite generic in today’s world, but the presentation is what makes it unique and fun. You have all these bizarre cartoon figures running at you, shooting at you, and then dying in hilarious ways.

However, there are some issues during these fight sequences, such as the enemies usually get stuck in a doorway, and they do not follow you outside of the arena. For instance, if you are in an alleyway and you get on top of the ladder, the enemies will not follow you.

Sound and Visuals

The main highlights for Mouse P.I. For Hire are the sound and the visuals departments. You get to hear jazz music with saxophones in the background during the combat sequences. Moreover, the big band music also sets a lively tone, and on top of that, you can hear Jack Pepper humming his own theme, adding more immersion while you play through the story. Last but not least, the delivery of dialogue is on par with noir tones. You hear Troy Baker voicing Jack Pepper, which I did not even realize at first.

The visuals and the overall design of the world are just fantastic in Mouse P.I. For Hire. Every decision, from making a game completely in a black-and-white theme to adding authentic rubber hose animations, makes it a truly artistic video game.

Verdict – Score 9/10

Mouse P.I. For Hire is an outstanding debut indie title from Fumi Games. It is a unique experience with similar mechanics and rush that we all love and cherish. The fast-paced combat with jazz and band music in the background, while enemies are dying in hilarious ways, sets you in a perfect mood. Yes, there are a few bugs that might throw you off a bit, but nothing game-breaking or something that will ruin the vibe in Mouseburg city. I highly recommend this game to any player who wants to experience similar shootouts to DOOM and Duke Nukem, but with cartoon humor. Trust me, you guys are in for a treat with this game.

Mouse P.I. For Hire is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows (PC), and Xbox Series X|S.