Mouse: P.I. for Hire Is The Most Creative Hand-Drawn Noir FPS I’ve Ever Played (Preview)

Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a game I’ve been watching since it was originally revealed in 2023. After studying 2D hand-drawn animation in college, I respect this medium and understand the time commitment required to master it. This is exactly why this ambitious title piqued my interest.

Last month, I played the first 30-minute demo of Mouse: P.I. for Hire and was thoroughly impressed by how special this title is becoming. Here are my thoughts on this uniquely creative game and why it should be on your radar when it drops next month.

Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a single-player rubberhose-style 2.5D first-person shooter being developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios. The story revolves around mouse detective Jack Pepper (voiced by Troy Baker) as he investigates a series of cases. The core gameplay mechanics include finding clues and collectibles, solving puzzles, and fighting various enemies with an array of weapons and gadgets.

The demo opened with Jack looking for a secret laboratory owned by his missing friend and mysterious magician Steve Bandel. His goal is to uncover any evidence that may lead to finding Steve. His investigation involves questioning a few characters, using his puzzle-solving skills to find and access the undisclosed location, and facing off against several enemies, including three boss battles with Steve’s failed experiment, Robo-Betty.

After completing the level, Jack returns to his office in Mouseberg to pin clues on his wall, interact with more of his colleagues, upgrade his weapons, and devise his next move as the demo concludes. All the footage you’re watching now was captured from a build that’s still in development, and certain aspects could change before launch.

My three takeaways from this demo were the combat mechanics, puzzles, and the scope of the worldbuilding. As soon as I started playing, I was instantly reminded of games like Wolfenstein and DOOM set within a 1930s Mickey Mouse-stylized animated world. Even finding collectibles reminds me of how cool it is to find these same items in those games.

The gunplay is very responsive, and the animation is timed perfectly to match. I also love the weapon wheel option when switching between items. Being able to use your hands and feet as needed in close combat situations is a nice touch.

When solving puzzles like opening safes, Jack uses his tail to create an easy access pathway. I’ve seen this comical idea implemented in these cartoons before, and I appreciate it being here. I also like the silly death animations when Jack obliterates his foes. These cool details display how committed the developers are to crafting an experience that feels as authentic as the cartoons from this time period, but for a more mature audience.

Even though my time was short, this demo gave me a good sense of the world-building possibilities. I only expected to play one short level, so I was surprised to get a glimpse of the Mouseberg map and other areas worth exploring.

I also got a glimpse of how the weapon upgrade system works and the ensemble of characters Jack will need to interact with to solve these cases. From a preview demo standpoint, this was a perfect build because it gave me a deeper understanding of what to expect and left me wanting more.

Mouse: P.I. for Hire drops on April 16th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Let me know in the comments section if you’re looking forward to this game, and look for our review next month.