Get ready for a wild ride with Mouse: P.I. For Hire, the answer to a question nobody asked but everyone secretly wanted answered: What if Steamboat Willie was a classic first-person shooter? This isn’t just another FPS; it’s a delightful, whimsical adventure through a cartoon world steeped in noir, where mice are people and a juicy mystery awaits. You play as Jack Pepper, a private investigator rodent diving headfirst into shady deals and uncovering clues that tie everything together.
A World of Cheese and Conspiracy
The story unfolds in the fictional town of Mouseburg, home to ex-copper turned rent-a-P.I. Jack Pepper. When a magician disappears, Pepper finds himself entangled in a conspiracy involving bent cops, shrew trafficking, and a murdered Tinseltown star. His investigation takes him from an opera house to a riverboat party, down into the sewers, and everywhere in between – each location brimming with character and personality. And yes, there’s a lot of cheese-related humor.
Visually Striking and Uniquely Charming
What immediately sets Mouse: P.I. For Hire apart is its art style. The entire game is rendered in grayscale, with every character, weapon, and interactable object presented in 2D, reminiscent of the earliest cartoons from the 1920s and ’30s. It’s a bold choice that somehow works incredibly well. There were initial concerns about visibility given the limited color palette, but after playing through most of the game, I haven’t encountered any issues.
Troy Baker lends his voice to the protagonist, delivering every line with outstanding gusto and authenticity. Combined with the hilarious writing, full of pop culture references (including a nod to the iconic “potion seller” video from 2012), it’s impossible not to play with a smile on your face.
Boomer Shooter Vibes with a Twist
Much of Pepper’s time is spent blasting away crooked cops and the occasional cultist, making Mouse: P.I. For Hire feel like a wannabe boomer shooter. While it doesn’t quite match the breakneck pace and fluidity of classics like Quake, Doom, or modern examples like Dusk and Ultrakill, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The game shines in its own way, offering a more deliberate and focused experience.
Basic Weapons, Big Personality
For a game that’s so clever in every aspect, from its writing and characters to its levels and boss design, the weapons, especially early on, feel a little basic. You’ll unlock a standard pistol, shotgun, and a machine gun (called the James Gun, rather than a Tommy Gun). There are some unique inclusions later on, and occasional scripted moments where Pepper equips finger guns with unlimited ammo, but pushing the boat out a bit further could have spiced up the action.
However, this is all thematic, meant to fuel a playable cartoon where environmental interaction is rife. Classic slapstick comedy, such as pianos and anvils falling from the ceiling when you shoot the ropes hoisting them up, is found in many levels. Keep an eye out for “totally normal wall!” graffiti, because it indicates that the surface is not a totally normal wall and can be destroyed with dynamite or explosive barrels.
A Detective’s Work: More Than Just Shooting
Unlike traditional boomer shooters, Mouse: P.I. For Hire emphasizes investigation and exploration. You’re constantly chatting with NPCs, reading notes, and searching for secrets. The game rations out the action, encouraging you to take your time and soak in the atmosphere.
Unlocking New Abilities, Finding Hidden Secrets
As you progress, you unlock new abilities like a double jump, wall run, and gliding, primarily for exploration rather than combat. The game doesn’t shy away from hiding secrets, with newspapers, comic strips, baseball cards (used in a minigame), and ultra-secret Jack Pepper replica figurines scattered throughout the world.
The freedom of movement allows you to get creative, but it also leads to some hilarious moments. In one level set in a film studio, I jumped onto a building to reach a collectible, only to trigger a set piece where the floor gave way beneath me multiple times. While this didn’t halt my progress, it highlights how easy it is to break the game and discover hidden areas.
A Few Minor Bugs, But Nothing Game-Breaking
There are a few minor bugs – dynamite disappears after you throw it, the tutorial for the baseball card minigame appears every round, and sound effects sometimes flip depending on where you’re standing. However, these are minor inconveniences that don’t detract from the overall experience.
A Delightful Experience Worth Celebrating
Mouse: P.I. For Hire isn’t flawless, and it certainly won’t test your mettle as a challenging shooter (which makes it more approachable for non-FPS players), but it’s worth playing for the vibes alone. From the fantastically groovy audio design in the jazzy soundtrack to the visually stunning rubber hose animation and hand-drawn levels, Fumi Games has exceeded all expectations.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a must-play title that deserves to be recognized at the end of the year. Everyone should experience this unique and charming adventure.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire will be released on April 16 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PC using a prerelease download code provided by Playside. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.
Source: Polygon
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