MOUSE: P.I. For Hire
Review
Watch out, gumshoe
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
A Mouse on the Case
Players step into the gumshoes of Jack Pepper, a private investigator who feels like a spiritual successor to Who Framed Roger Rabbit's Eddie Valiant. What begins as a routine missing persons case spirals into a sprawling conspiracy of kidnapping, murder, and systemic corruption. The narrative serves as a fantastic vehicle to explore the seedy underbelly of a city populated by animated vermin and crooked cops, ensuring the stakes feel personal even when the visuals are playfully elastic.
Searching for Clues
While the core of the experience is a first-person shooter, Mouse: P.I. For Hire understands that a detective needs to use their head as much as their trigger finger. The pacing is broken up by genuine investigative work - searching for clues amongst the gunfights. One of the more tactile highlights is the safe-cracking mechanic; it utilizes a clever, Snake-like minigame where you navigate the inner workings of a lock to tumble the pins. Some safes are simple, whilst others have spikes that prevent navigating through them. Other safes have a timer that requires quick movements through the lock, and others have a limit on the number of moves you can make. It’s a refreshing departure from the standard "press X to open" prompts found in many modern shooters.
That said, when the lead starts flying, the game leans heavily into its comical roots. The arsenal is appropriately zany - such as the Devarnisher, a gun that works similarly to The Dip from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? that melts the ink from the enemies bodies leaving them as a pile of bones. And players are encouraged to turn the environment against their foes - whether you are detonating explosive barrels or finding creative ways to clear a room, or popping a Hot Pepper to set foes on fire, the combat feels kinetic and chaotic.
Generally, there is plenty of spare ammunition lying around (although on the highest difficulty setting, this is less so), so you'll always have something in your holster to fire back at those who stand in the way of justice. And if you find yourself with some damage, simply take a swig from a Heal-D bottle or chomp on a wedge of cheese to cure what ails you.
The Sights and Sounds of Mouseburg
The aesthetic presentation is undeniably the star of the show. The black-and-white visuals perfectly capture the hand-drawn feel of early 20th-century animation, complete with the visual shorthand and exaggerated movements of the era. This is bolstered by a rich, brassy jazz soundtrack that sets a perfect noir tone. Unlike the silent shorts that inspired it, however, the game features full voice acting. Every character carries a distinctive accent, bringing a layered personality to the residents of Mouseburg.
The world is also littered with pop-culture nods for the eagle-eyed player. Finding a steamboat aptly named "Willie" is just one of many moments that elicit a genuine chuckle, rewarding those who take the time to soak in the atmosphere.From the dancing flowers to the harp wielding ghost version of Jack when you die, the developers have done their utmost to ensure that the game retains the vibe of the classic cartoons.
Cards and Collectibles
Beyond the main mystery, there is a surprising amount of depth in the game's side activities. Throughout Mouseburg, you can find or purchase trading cards which tie into a baseball-themed mini-card game. The game takes place over two innings, one as the batting team and one as the fielding team. Each player picks one character card from their hand and pits it against the opposition's card - with the card with the highest power winning the round. If it is the batter, they make their way around the bases, whilst if the pitcher wins, it counts as a strike.Players can also play an extra ability card that can boost the skills or the card in play, further adding to the strategy.
It is a surprisingly addictive distraction, and winning matches earns you tokens to spend at the "Prize D-Spenser," creating a satisfying loop of exploration and reward. Character progression is handled through a blueprint system, allowing for weapon upgrades that feel necessary as the enemy variety ramps up.
Wrapping up the case
The game offers a solid range of enemy types, each requiring a slightly different tactical approach. While the boss encounters are a highlight, the difficulty curve can be a bit idiosyncratic—some early-game bosses actually felt more punishing than those encountered in the finale.
However, this minor balancing quirk doesn't detract from what is an exceptionally stylish and engaging package. Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a rare breed of shooter that manages to be both a loving parody and a gripping detective story. For anyone who grew up fascinated by the golden age of animation or the gritty streets of noir cinema, this is a case well worth taking.
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9.4
fun score
Pros
Wonderful hand drawn cartoon art style, awesome soundtrack and voice acting, fun gameplay
Cons
Some of the later bosses feel easier than early bosses.
