MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Reviews
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
I don’t know whether this is good or bad, but as someone who usually isn’t a fan of shooters, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is one of the best shooters I’ve played so far—maybe even the best. It’s actually a bit of a shame that going for 100% completion isn’t very appealing, and that resources spawn far too excessively on normal difficulty. I’d also say the game feels a little too long. But aside from that, almost everything about it feels close to perfect for me. The cartoony black-and-white art style, which still doesn’t try to be child-friendly, adds a tremendous amount to the experience. The fact that I even enjoy the gunplay here is still surprising. The great story and small side activities also round things off nicely.
Review in German | Read full review
Whilst the constant cheese puns and fourth wall trope-busting may grate after a fashion, there's a lot to enjoy in Mouse: P.I. For Hire. The old school shooting, with even older visual style, brings back nostalgia and challenge in one hit. Whilst more shooter than detective caper, it's still a gouda time.
Fun, stylish, and bursting with visual personality, Mouse: P.I. For Hire turns Mouseburg into a detective adventure packed with gunfights, clues, and pure animated charm.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Although this is a game you don’t come across often, we believe it will go largely unnoticed by mainstream audiences. Still, Mouse: P.I. is not something you should miss, especially given how dry the FPS genre has been in terms of truly unique titles lately - but veterans of the genre may find a few disappointments along the way.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is truly a gem. Whether you are a fan of Disney-style cartoons or shooters, the title from Fumi Games simply has plenty to offer.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
I've been following the development of Mouse: P.I. For Hire since its announcement. After Cuphead's success in emulating the rubber-hose feeling, many games tried to replicate the formula and failed miserably (like the aforementioned Bad Cheese and the embarrassing clone Enchanted Portals). Mouse, on the other hand, strives and succeeds strongly in delivering a game that not only pays tribute but forges its own identity. An interesting and highly immersive universe, charismatic characters, a hail of bullets between the sword of justice and villainous scoundrels, and copious (or should I say gnawing?) doses of humor and cheese already make this one of my favorite titles of 2026.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ultimately, the superb aesthetic achievements of Mouse P.I. For Hire are undermined by its overly familiar, uninspired gameplay choices. Relative newcomers to retro-style shooters are likely to get more from it than the jaded veterans among us, who have seen every gameplay element done to a higher standard many times before. At its best though, Mouse P.I. For Hire is a stunning-looking playable cartoon – and while it could have been so much more, that is enough.
An unusual development journey like this which could be followed so actively online is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. All the more reason to be pleased that the end result is such a fun and varied game that not only brings beautiful visuals but also delivers compelling gameplay. Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a more than competent shooter that offers much more thanks to its many ideas and mechanics. I would have liked a bit more player initiative in the investigations and I would absolutely love the ability to revisit previously completed levels to uncover all the secrets or even complete side quests retroactively. But besides that it's another indie banger for 2026.
Review in German | Read full review
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a game that almost entirely succeeds in its mission, paying homage to the past without needing to invent (or reinvent) anything. It’s neither the most intense nor the most profound boomer shooter, but it’s certainly one of the most distinctive and captivating titles of recent years, shining more for its style, atmosphere, and writing than for its gunplay. If you’re looking for a title that combines the flavor of old-school comics with the charm of crime noir, then you can’t miss this little gem from Fumi Games.
Review in Italian | Read full review