MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Be the first to review!

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Step into a world of cartoon animation and retro action-packed adventure in Mouse. Inspired by the best of 30s rubber hose animation and the classic noir style, this retro shooter is a story-driven experience that will take you on a thrilling journey through a dangerous and corrupt city.Step into a world of cartoon animation and retro action-packed adventure in Mouse. Inspired by the best of 30s rubber hose animation and the classic noir style, this retro shooter is a story-driven experience that will take you on a thrilling journey through a dangerous and corrupt city.

    Armed with a variety of mid-century firearms and explosives like the Revolver, Tommy Gun, Hammer, Carcano, Dynamite, you'll be able to take on enemies in any way you choose. Whether you prefer to run and gun, jump and dodge, or carefully plan your attacks, Mouse gives you the freedom to approach combat your way.

    And with the Fantastic-o-Matic power-up system, you'll be able to upgrade your weapons and abilities to become even more deadly. Look for the vending machines scattered throughout the city and choose the power-ups that best suit your playstyle.

    But be warned: the city is full of danger and betrayal. To survive, you'll need to stay sharp and keep your wits about you. With every step you take, you'll uncover more of the story and find yourself caught up in a web of deceit and murder.

    So gear up, get ready to fight, and take on the challenges of Mouse - a retro shooter that will take you on an unforgettable adventure.
    Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Apr 17, 2026
    90
    Whilst you may well be drawn in to MOUSE: P.I. For Hire by the visuals and soundtrack, once in, you’ll discover a game that is so much more than just that - an investigative, story-focused, secret-hunting, first person shooting platformer that is an absolute joy to play.
  2. Apr 20, 2026
    90
    MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is one of those surprises that reminds us why we love video games. It’s crafted with such passion and style that it’s impossible not to enjoy it. Its combination of unique aesthetics, solid gameplay, and steady pace make it a highly recommended experience. A one-of-a-kind boomer shooter that puts a smile on your face while you grit your teeth to get through its fun shoot-’em-up sections.
  3. Apr 20, 2026
    89
    Jack Pepper is a mouse with a mission and nothing will come between his investigation and his gun in this noir shooter that will take the player to a 1930s cartoon.
  4. May 11, 2026
    85
    There’s a lot to like about Mouse P.I., from it’s excellent visuals and animation to the simple 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.
  5. Apr 14, 2026
    80
    Mouse: P.I. For Hire is fast-paced first-person shooter fun with an inviting cartoon twist. Developer Fumi Games' debt to DOOM and its ilk is plain to see, but it's the monochrome noir look and energetic animation that marks this out as something unique, like a rich stilton or something.
  6. Apr 23, 2026
    60
    Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a fun and visually appealing shooter, but it doesn't offer anything groundbreaking or memorable in terms of plot or gameplay. With a few additions and changes to the pacing, the end result could have been a hit like Cuphead.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.
  1. May 4, 2026
    Let’s wrap it up with Jack: It should have been an ordinary evening; I hadn’t planned on spending so much time in Mouseburg. There’s a special, unique atmosphere there, sometimes gloomy or, on the contrary, blinding, as if someone had forgotten to switch off the spotlights. I’d been tipped off by the Herald’s pen-pusher, to whom I’d occasionally pass on some information. This ‘minor’ disappearance case should never have taken me this far. I just had to fill in a few gaps to solve the case. I never imagined I’d be criss-crossing the city for this. I stumbled upon some colourful characters: the sinister face of the politician Cornelius Stilton, the pretty doll—too pretty to be honest—Miss McCarthy, and a whole string of blokes who would have made a viper’s nest look like a summer camp. And then there was the gunpowder. Far too much gunpowder. It's as if Mouseburg had decided to set off a personal fireworks display for me. All things considered, I came out of it without a scratch – either a feat of skill or just plain luck. Either way, case closed.