"MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is fantastic, and I highly recommend it to fans of classic shooters and games with unique art styles."
We were supplied with a free key for the purposes of writing this review, however our opinions are entirely our own.
I have to admit, I’ve been quite interested in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire ever since it was originally revealed simply as MOUSE, and after finally getting to play it, it’s even better than I expected.
While I personally would have preferred the ability to aim down sights, this is very much a personal preference rather than a criticism of the game itself. Other than that very slight issue, I genuinely cannot find any fault with the game.
The visuals are fantastic. The voice acting is amazing. The gameplay, while slightly repetitive, captures that traditional old-school shooter feeling found in classics like Doom, Wolfenstein, Star Wars: Dark Forces, and the Jedi Knight series, all of which are among some of my personal favourites.
I also really like how the developers allow players to choose how they experience the game’s visual presentation.
You can enjoy the clean, crisp Steamboat Willie-inspired animation style as-is, or enable a variety of filters that make the game look and sound like an authentic old film reel, complete with visual imperfections and audio distortion.
It’s a small touch, but one that adds even more charm and helps immerse you in the MOUSE: P.I. For Hire’s wonderfully nostalgic aesthetic.
With witty dialogue, engaging characters, and not being afraid to poke fun at itself, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire’s more than once had me grinning.
One early scene has Jack Pepper, brilliantly voiced by Troy Baker, exchanging dialogue with his adversary from opposite ends of a huge roaring airship. They’re so far apart, with the engines thundering between them, that the conversation is completely absurd, only for Jack himself to point out how ridiculous it is that either of them could possibly hear the other over all the noise.
It completely caught me off guard, and I genuinely laughed (well tittered really) at the 4th wall break.
I also love the references to pop culture and classic noir films. I would love to see this Steamboat Willie-inspired style, used for many more games.
It reminds me of Cuphead, a title that not only looked great when it first released, but will always look fantastic, because its visual identity is not based upon cutting edge visuals, but a unique and interesting art style.
The same applies here. This classic rubber hose animation style could be used for so many different games, and personally, I’m completely here for it.
I cannot wait to see what the developers have next, and I, for one, will certainly be buying anything else they bring out if it’s anywhere near as good as this.
More than anything, I hope MOUSE: P.I. For Hire inspires other developers to experiment with this timeless art style. It has enormous untapped potential, and MOUSE: P.I. For Hire proves that it can be far more than just a novelty.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is an action game developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide, it released on 16 April 2026, and is available on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire supports the following peripherals:
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is rated PEGI 16+ and contains:
While MOUSE: P.I. is a very different type of game to Cuphead, it shares a similar visual identity and absolutely scratches that itch for a rubber hose-style animated experience.
Ultimately, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a fantastic game, and I cannot wait to see what the developers do next.
We found MOUSE: P.I. For Hire to be a masterpiece of a game, meaning it is a must-play for almost every gamer, due to its near-perfect gameplay experience.
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