MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Reviews
I hoped MOUSE: P.I. For Hire would be a good game, but I wasn’t prepared for what the game actually delivers. From a heavy, depth-filled narrative to sharp, butter-smooth gameplay mechanics, this hit on all the right points. Yes, it’s a little too long, and I did get lost in a few instances, but this is forgivable when you consider everything the game gets right. There’s much more to discover that I haven’t touched upon, and I really hope you will jump in to find those out, because this is one you don’t want to miss out on.
There’s a lot to like about Mouse P.I., from it’s excellent visuals and animation to the simply act of exploring and shooting. Cuphead is a clear inspiration in certain aspects, and though this is a different genre, it will likely still appeal if you enjoyed that game. It is a great game for console and handheld should you have one as well.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire was a really enjoyable, albeit drawn-out, experience that sadly suffers from horrendous performance issues on the Nintendo Switch 2. I loved the art, loved the story, and the action held up for the most part throughout. You might not get as much out of it though if you don’t have a love for the noir genre, or you want something more akin to its tighter “boomer shooter” peers. When Mouse: P.I. For Hire wandered into my office, I knew I was in trouble. The look, the action, it was all there. Hiccups aside, this is one case I was glad I took on, and here’s looking at you kid for the future. All I can say is “Forget it Jack, It’s Mouseberg”.
Though it has grabbed the attention of the masses through the usage of the ‘rubberhose’ artstyle, Mouse: P.I. for Hire strives most by knowing what it takes to be a good game within the boomer shooter genre. Although very flawed, it would be a game that succeeds regardless of the artstyle it used
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has a great, unique rubberhose aesthetic, which does a lot of heavy lifting for the game. The DOOM-like mechanics are solid, albeit they do very little to differentiate the game from others in the series, and the balance is toned down to the point where even a newcomer to the genre should have an easy time progressing on the hardest difficulty. It isn’t a bad game in the slightest, but it relies a little too much on its visual uniqueness and doesn’t impress me much mechanically.
Within the current landscape, and without needing to boast, it ends up positioning itself as one of the most pleasant surprises of 2026, especially for those who value proposals with identity and a more contained approach.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
MOUSE P.I. For Hire is a rare case of a game with insanely-lofty ambitions that manages to live up to the hype. For Fumi Games to knock it out of the park from their inaugural title is miraculous. But I couldn’t get enough of my time in Mouseburg, giving the villains what-for and deducing a crime the old-fashioned way. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Jack Pepper.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire takes its sweet time to get moving but stick with it and you’ll uncover an imaginative, visually-striking throwback shooter.
MOUSE P.I. for Hire is a true work of love that mixes a great art style with a very good soundtrack and gameplay, making it not just one of the most unique FPSs I’ve ever played, but one of the most unique games I’ve ever seen as well.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a hilarious parody of movies and cartoons, featuring references to classic films and TV shows while commenting on some of the worst moments in U.S. history. Defying expectations of what one might expect from detective games or movies, it turns out to be a fun boomer shooter that manages to bring the comedic side of cartoons to a genre typically marked by a more violent tone, creating a thoroughly entertaining combination, despite some stumbles in its weapon balancing, enemy variety, and pacing of the story.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mouse P.I. for Hire delivers a great narrative coupled with good gameplay and an impeccable setting. There are a few minor flaws that could still be fixed, but it's the kind of game that will hold your attention from beginning to end without exaggeration or cheap tricks.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mouse: P.I. The Hire shines thanks to its rubber-hose aesthetic, recreated with exceptional care, its vibrant jazz music, and frenetic combat that turns every encounter into a visual and auditory spectacle.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
With striking style, tight combat, and a stellar cast, Mouse: P.I. For Hire proves itself the big cheese of boomer shooters.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a stylish and surprisingly fast-paced FPS that leans hard into its rubber hose noir identity while still delivering solid, movement-driven combat. The presentation, music, and voice work carry much of the experience, even when upgrades feel underwhelming.
As a shooter, Mouse P.I. For Hire, fits well with its decent arsenal of weapons for you to use. The level design is amazing with Tinsel Avenue probably being my favourite location, and driving around the overworld looks so damn good. Enemy variety keeps you engaged even if they don’t really require you to switch up for strategy, with the Devarnisher, literally melting most of them. There are plenty of Easter eggs, nods and references everywhere the player looks, showing just how much detail this game offers in the environments alone. Boss fights are fun and some offer a better challenge than just running around gunning. Although The final boss felt a little long but was still enjoyable in the end. And with all my cases closed, I would say that Mouse P.I. For Hire deserves the Thumb Culture Gold Award. I do wish that we could have replayed the levels, and maybe a beige and black art colouration was available in the settings.
From its beautiful hand-drawn animation and world, to its lovable cast of characters, to just the overall polish and love put into this game, the long wait we all had to endure to play this title was well worth it.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire succeeds where many games with visually striking concepts fall short. It isn’t just visually original; it’s also a joy to play. The experience is driven by simply exceptional art direction, fast-paced and extremely satisfying gameplay, and a masterfully executed film noir atmosphere. This title from Fumi Games stands out as one of the most memorable and refreshing FPS games of the year. Admittedly, its investigation system takes a backseat more than one might have hoped, and the game drags a bit toward the end, but these flaws are minor compared to the overall quality of the experience.
Review in French | Read full review
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a reminder that creativity often thrives when developers take risks. The visuals, gameplay, soundtrack, and story all work toward the same goal, blending old-school inspiration with modern ideas in a way that feels fresh rather than recycled.
By the time I saw Mouse: P.I. For Hire's credits, I was breathless. Breathless from the pulse-pounding, breakneck pace of the bloody, exhilarating combat. Breathless from the unpredictable revelations from the awesome story. And breathless from the ridiculously cool presentation of Mouse's world, through its wonderful art direction and fantastic, moody soundtrack. Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a masterclass in game design, and I'm here for whatever this team does next; which I genuinely hope is another Mouse game.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire completely captivated me. The game is fun and addictive, the kind where you play and barely notice the time passing, or only stop because you really need to do something else. The noir theme, the cartoonish visuals, the mystery story, and the frenetic action together create a delightful experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review