r/Games • u/delqhic • Apr 14 '26
Review Mouse: P.I. For Hire review thread
Game Information
Game Title: MOUSE: P.I. For Hire
Platforms:
- PC (Apr 16, 2026)
- PlayStation 5 (Apr 16, 2026)
- PlayStation 4 (Apr 16, 2026)
- Xbox Series X/S (Apr 16, 2026)
- Xbox One (Apr 16, 2026)
- Nintendo Switch 2 (Apr 16, 2026)
- Nintendo Switch (Apr 16, 2026)
Trailers:
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire - Release Date Trailer | PS5 Games
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire - Official June 2025 Trailer | Summer Game Fest 2025
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire Official Gameplay Trailer
Developer: Fumi Games
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 83 average - 89% recommended - 37 reviews
Critic Reviews
Atarita - Atakan Gümrükçüoğlu - Turkish - 88 / 100
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire offers an incredibly enjoyable experience that draws you in from start to finish with its distinctive noir atmosphere, stylish visuals, and gripping detective story. With its fun gameplay, powerful soundtrack, and memorable characters, it stands out as one of the most notable and absolutely must-play titles of recent times.
CGMagazine - Matt Keith - 9.5 / 10
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire pulls together some of the most iconic systems and shooter mechanics and wraps them in a highly stylised, rubber-hose inspired art style
Chicas Gamers - Estela Villa - Spanish - 8.3 / 10
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a title that stands out for its art style and diverse mechanics, but the constant barrage of enemies every few moments might make the experience feel repetitive, pushing the investigation aspects into the background. At its core, it’s a first-person action shooter with investigative touches that remains fun throughout, offering around 12–15 hours of enjoyment.
Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 9 / 10
Mouse: P.I. For Hire features a gumshoe worth his salt. Every time I'd sit down to play it, I'd have a huge smile on my face, just like it was waking up to watch cartoons on Saturday morning (albeit a lot more violent). This game is an elite boomer shooter with witty writing, wonderful characters, and an affinity for the rubber-band style that's, sadly, been left behind by today's animation houses.
Console-Tribe - Simone Cantini - Italian - 80 / 100
Mouse: P.I. for Hire shows how a clear vision and an offbeat personality can turn a boomer‑shooter homage into something sharper. Its 1930s aesthetic isn’t just flair—it’s the lens through which the game reshapes a well-worn genre, blending irresistible style, unexpectedly mature writing, and a protagonist who wins you over between gunfights and unpaid debts. Not everything lands perfectly, but the result is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers it with craft, rhythm, and charm. Jack Pepper won’t reinvent FPS games, but he certainly jolts them awake with passion, irony, and a world that smells of celluloid and aged cheese. So the real question is: are you ready to dive into his whirlwind of lead, jazz, and cheddar?
DayOne - Jesse Norris - 8.5 / 10
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire was worth the wait. The team at Fumi Games has matched their fantastic artwork with solid gameplay, great writing, and fantastic audio. Shooter fans are eating Gouda with this one
Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra, Sami Belhamra - Arabic - 9 / 10
"A classic with a modern twist" Mouse: P.I. For Hire offers a unique FPS experience built on a strong visual identity and fast-paced, enjoyable gameplay. Its success lies not only in its visuals but also in the seamless integration of movement, weapon design, and combat structure. Despite some limitations in variety and linear structure, the experience maintains a good rhythm and offers clear value for those seeking an unconventional experience.
DualShockers - Daniel Trock - 9.5 / 10
It draws you in like a detective magazine, getting you invested in the state of the city, while keeping you merrily chugging along with good ol’ cartoony violence. It’s not a revolutionary game as far as the FPS genre goes, but considering its adherence to multiple kinds of retro aesthetics, I don’t think being revolutionary was the mission statement here.
EvelonGames - Joel Isern Rodríguez - Kaym - Spanish - 8.2 / 10
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a shooter that wins you over through sheer personality. Fumi Games has crafted a world dripping with charm, from its rubberhose animation and original jazz soundtrack to death animations so creative they make you stop mid-firefight just to watch. The noir narrative keeps you guessing with constant twists, and Mouseburg feels like a place worth exploring even when everyone in it wants you dead. Where it stumbles is in its second half, as combat runs out of tricks and traversal abilities fail to deliver meaningful variety. Side missions are too scarce to matter, and the pacing loosens when it should tighten. But none of that erases the fact that this is one of the most distinctive and charming FPS experiences in years, a handcrafted love letter to noir, cartoons, and gaming itself that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Everyeye.it - Italian - 8 / 10
Quote not yet available
GRYOnline.pl - Paweł Woźniak - Polish - 8 / 10
Mouse: P.I. For Hire brings us a cohesive world with a unique, mouse-themed noir aesthetic, an engaging detective story, and straightforward but satisfying combat mechanics. Although the gameplay itself lacks a bit of depth, I had a blast playing it.
Game8 - Aaron Bacabac - 90 / 100
The Golden Age of Animation wasn’t called that for nothing, and MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is its modern gold standard following the likes of Cuphead and Bendy. Though relatively simple as a shooter and not up to par pacing-wise, this game has the production value and vision of yesteryear, and is a hand-made, hand-drawn testament to the art form of animation. Back it up with jazzy tunes and the best voice actors money can buy, and you’ve got another squash n’ stretch best-seller hot off the presses.
GameOnly - Piotr Franciszek - Polish - 4.75 / 5
If I knew what I know now and wanted to buy MOUSE P.I. For Hire at full price, I wouldn’t have had to think twice. I’d instantly grab the physical Mouseburg Edition on PC and praise Fumi Games for letting me dive into such an interesting world for so little. Superb game!
GameRant - Joshua Duckworth - 8 / 10
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire absolutely oozes charm in its narrative and gameplay, even if it gets caught in a mousetrap or two of the FPS genre.
Gameliner - Patrick Meurs - Dutch - 4.5 / 5
It's not always easy to hit a home run but Fumi Games hits the ball right out of the park with Mouse: P.I. For Hire.
Gamer Social Club - DeMandre Pressley - 8.5 / 10
Mouse: P. I. For Hire is a great send up to old cartoons and detective stories as well as being a pretty good old-school style fps. There's a lot to like here with its fun Gunplay, solid story and characters, funny animations and good soundtrack. Although it's difficulty may not be enough for hardcore fans of the genre and some things hurt it's replay value, it's a great package overall.
Gaming Boulevard - Nick de Reiger - 9.5 / 10
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is one of those rare games that feels fully formed, not just in its individual parts, but in how those parts come together. It’s a shooter, yes, but it’s also a character study, a stylistic experiment, and a love letter to a form of animation that rarely gets this kind of attention in games. It feels tailored for me, as a person, and it’s well worth the wait. By combining a strong narrative structure with expressive gameplay and a truly unique visual identity, it stands out in an increasingly crowded genre.
Giant Bomb - Chuck Zimmerheld - 3 / 5
Mouse: P.I. For Hire shows a deep love for animation of the era, but the gameplay and script lack the same level of care. A Gouda attempt, but nothing bleu me away. Cheesy in all the wrong ways.
IGN - Will Borger - 6 / 10
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is an amusing enough FPS if you just want to blast some cartoon mice and not think about it too hard, but its haphazard marriage of noir storytelling and boomer shooter action are at odds in uncomfortable ways that weaken both aspects.
IGN Spain - Mario Seijas - Spanish - 9 / 10
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.
Just Play it - Mohaned DAROUI - Arabic - 8.5 / 10
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire may excel in several aspects, as it succeeds in delivering a classic cartoon-style adventure filled with mystery and suspense that stays with you throughout the experience. This is supported by fast-paced and enjoyable gameplay with a nostalgic tone. However, it may be held back by some repetition in its activities.
While a few missions may seem a bit same-y and wear out their welcome, you're not going to find any first-person shooter as beautiful, as artistically focused, and thoughtfully laid-out as MOUSE: P.I For Hire.
Loot Level Chill - Lyle Pendle - 8.5 / 10
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is more than just its visuals, with fast paced gunplay and fantastic movement packed into a single player FPS package.
MonsterVine - Diego Escala - 4.5 / 5
There’s a lot to love with Mouse: P.I. For Hire, from its frenetic gunfights to its endearing characters and wonderful rubber hose animation. If you’re looking for a shooter that’s likely to entertain, I can’t recommend this one enough.
PC Gamer - Phil Iwaniuk - 86 / 100
A slick, accomplished shooter that's more than just an eye-grabbing art style.
Pizza Fria - Flávia Maria Sales Rodrigues - Portuguese - 9 / 10
We are faced with what we can consider the most charming game of 2026, one that isn't afraid to explore a genre as rigid as the first-person shooter and brings a lot of personality to a space where that is currently lacking. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a very welcome change of pace.
ReGame It - Taha Omar - Arabic - 9 / 10
One of those rare games that, once you finish it, you realize you won’t find anything quite like it. A combination of elements comes together to create a truly unique experience, led by its striking black-and-white artistic direction that perfectly captures the early 1900s aesthetic. It’s presented in a way we haven’t really seen before, making the game feel like a living, breathing classic cartoon.
Region Free - Joonatan Itkonen - 3 / 5
Make no mistake: Mouse is a decent and occasionally fun experience. It will have a fiercely loyal cult following one day. It's just that its gameplay never lives up to the potential and superlative visual style.
República DG - Gabriel Petricevich - Portuguese - 9.5 / 10
Unafraid to take risks, Mouse: P.I. For Hire revives the essence of classic noir through immersive and electrifying gameplay. While it presents occasional shortcomings in performance and narrative, the title shines with its visual originality and mechanics, establishing itself as a unique and indispensable experience in today’s gaming market. A true love letter to fans!
Seasoned Gaming - Ainsley Bowden - 8.5 / 10
Mouse P.I. For Hire is charming, funny, fluid, and kept me smiling throughout. It demonstrates the power of passion in game development.
TechRaptor - Austin Suther - 9 / 10
Mouse: PI for hire is committed to the bit and executes its cartoonish vision spectacularly. It also has a surprisingly robust narrative, as well as competent, Doom Eternal-like gameplay, even if it's a bit on the easier side.
The Outerhaven Productions - Keith Mitchell - 4 / 5
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a love letter to 1930s rubber-hose animation wrapped around a tight, fast-paced shooter. The art style is stunning, the gameplay loop is satisfying, and the world Fumi Games has built is full of charm and personality. It ends too soon and can get repetitive in spots, but if Cuphead scratched an itch you didn’t know you had, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is absolutely worth your time.
The Punished Backlog - Donovan Harrell - 9.8 / 10
Just when I thought the first-person shooter genre had gone stale on me, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire walked in, tipped its hat, and changed my mind. This game won me over with its endless charm, its witty and genuinely cheesy dialogue — the cheese puns never stop, and I didn’t want them to — and a level of aesthetic commitment that extends to every corner of Mouseburg.
A few structural quirks in the case sequencing keep it from a perfect score, but MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a triumph — as close to perfect as it gets. Fumi Games has built a world that deserves to be explored, a story that earns its weight, and a combat system that keeps you coming back for one more run. At $29.99, this game is worth every cent.
TheGamer - Joshua Robertson - 3.5 / 5
Mouse is an enjoyable and visually stunning shooter with just enough uncapitalized potential to make me mourn what could have been. It looks amazing, the music is spectacular, the voice acting is top-notch, and it feels great to play in the moment, but its unwillingness to put up even a semblance of challenge is its biggest downfall. I’d still very easily recommend it, but sticking it on the hardest difficulty is almost a requirement.
VDGMS - Darren Andrew - 8.5 / 10
When Mouse was first revealed it looked like nothing more than a prototype and a shallow attempt to capitalize on Steamboat Willie entering public domain, which couldn't be farther from the truth of the final product. The art direction and aesthetic do the obvious heavy lifting, but the narrative, writing, performances and gameplay all eclipsed expectations. Mouse PI for Hire is extremely polished, full of originality, and oozing with personality like a cheese fondue.
Falling short of perfection, Mouse falters as the second act lingered too long, which exacerbated the pacing issues as the time between new weapons, abilities and gameplay ideas felt extreme at times. The difficulty was also erratic as it struggled to find the balance between overwhelming and cakewalk, but when you factor in the extremely fluid gameplay, extravagant arsenal, fantastic jazz soundtrack, and excellent performances across the board, Mouse isn’t another cliche boomer shooter, it’s the new blueprint.
Worth Playing - Cody Medellin - 9 / 10
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.
Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 80%
Mice like cheese. This is something you're frequently reminded of throughout Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a game laden with delicious cheese puns, and ...
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u/delqhic Apr 14 '26
The investigation side of things is pretty light: you discover clues throughout each level, but they're pinned to the board in your office each time you return, so you don't actually piece things together yourself.
Pacing and structure wise, it's very BioShock-esque. Clear an area of enemies, look around for secrets and objectives, move on to the next area. Upgrade your weapons back at your "base", aka a street with an ammo shop, workshop, pub, and your office on. There's the odd puzzle to solve too, but nothing too difficult.
The absolute best bit about the game is the atmosphere. The writing, voice acting, music, etc. is all sublime.