MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Reviews
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a solid first-person shooter with a great twist that cannot carry the game all the way. I loved the black and white cartoon presentation initially and liked the classic mechanics. But after three or four locations, the presentation is no longer surprising, and the gun battles start to feel repetitive.
It’s a competently and even entertainingly made game, but a dismally cynical work of art, and it never manages to shake the impression that the only reason that it looks the way it does is that the marketing team thought that it would be a good way to “stand out” and shift units.
Solid first-person shooter gameplay and unique bosses make it easy to recommend for fans of the genre, especially those who don't mind the extended experience. Switch 2 players may particularly enjoy mouse mode, a fitting way to play, but there is some stuttering in Performance mode, which aims at 60 fps. If you love a good trenchcoat-clad, heat-packing hero with a wit as sharp as his cheese, go ahead and hire this mouse to take a sharp-toothed bite out of crime.
Fun film noir-style rubber hose animation-inspired fast-paced first-person shooter on Switch 2
A great boomer shooter which is inspired by a lot of popular games of the past, but at the same time feels unique thanks to its wonderful visual style.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Mouse P.I recreated the classical cartoons from the 30s as a modern boomer shooter that you will only experience once in a lifetime
Review in Arabic | Read full review
While MOUSE: P.I. For Hire doesn’t quite scratch that detective itch, its incredible aesthetics and lively cast make it well worth the trip to Mouseburg.
Making use of a 1930s cartoon aesthetic, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is absolutely brimming with character and personality. It looks incredible, and it plays well too: this is a fun (if casual) first-person shooter that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
Aware of its ambitions, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire avoids delving too deeply into complex mechanics or sophisticated exploration and progression structures, but there's no doubt it manages to blend the "rubber hose" aesthetic with the creation of an undeniably immersive noir atmosphere. The audiovisual excellence, which articulates a spectacular sound design with cohesive art direction, underpins a solid first-person shooter - even if its gameplay is not very innovative - finding a good balance between inspiration and originality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is absolutely excellent. The presentation is stellar, with graphics that accomplish their goal of creating an interactive version of a 1930s cartoon. The soundtrack is good enough to convert players into fans of big band jazz. The shooting and platforming feel right, while the game clocks in at the right length. For fans of both shooting and action in general, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a must-have title.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a highly successful experiment that masterfully blends 1930s rubber hose animation with the gritty, disillusioned tropes of hard-boiled noir. While hindered by a rigid level structure that lacks backtracking and some minor repetitiveness in its old-school FPS encounters, the game is tremendously fun. Its chaotic and visceral gunplay is elevated by brilliant writing, caustic humor, and stellar voice acting led by Troy Baker. A lethal and captivating investigation that stands as one of the most stylistically inspired shooters in recent memory
Review in Italian | Read full review
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a visual treat, but it's also a memorable experience to play. It's a classic shooter that oozes charisma and will provide hours of good fun.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Through all its flaws, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is an incredibly charming, well-paced and engaging shooter that rarely overstays its welcome.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire should’ve been shorter, but I still really enjoyed my time with it.
Fun, adrenaline-filled, and just the right amount of challenging. Fumi Games' shooter stands out for its style and is convincing, despite not inventing anything new.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a damn good first-person shooter disguised as an investigative noir. The P.I. elements of gritty puzzle solving and clue searching give way to the levels of violence we’d see in a DOOM game, but despite this juxtaposition, it somehow works. It's vital to set assumptions with how the game plays out, as the two genres don't gel entirely - those thinking this would be a quaint Dick Tracy-style case with a few gunfights thrown in for good measure will be sorely disappointed. But if you’re in the mood for a stunning run-and-gun game with oodles of big band Jazz music, a sarcastic detective and a competent story, then Fumi Games certainly delivers. The combat controls are tight and intuitive, the violence is comically over-the-top, and the experience is rip-roaringly fun.
There are a lot of ways I could take my thoughts when it comes to Mouse: P.I. For Hire. There were some issues I noticed, and I will note them. The thing is, though, it’s fun! It’s old school, unadulterated fun! It’s booting up your PlayStation 2 after rushing home from school, new game fever levels of fun!
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a stunning hand-drawn noir shooter with a jazz-soaked soul — visually unlike anything else this year.
Review in German | Read full review
MOUSE: P.I. for Hire is a title with a strong identity that has very high highs in terms of gameplay and audiovisual presentation, but also unignorable lows in terms of narration and coherence.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While a multiplayer mode and co-op would be great, those looking for a fun and at times challenging game will likely find lots to enjoy with the final product.