Mini Review: Mouse: P.I. for Hire (PS5) – Elite Art with FPS Action to Match

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Games like Cuphead and the new release, MOUSE: P.I. for Hire, keep the indie game scene exciting and unique. You simply wouldn’t find this kind of bold and distinctive art style in a major, big-budget game.

Fumi Games, a Polish studio, created a unique shooter game inspired by the classic rubber hose animation style of the 1930s. The game beautifully blends art and action, starring a mouse who’s a private detective. However, instead of focusing on investigation, MOUSE: P.I. for Hire emphasizes fast-paced gunfights and stylish action.

You’ll investigate a disappearance in Mouseburg, quickly discovering a much larger conspiracy. You’ll face constant opposition from gangsters and crooked police, and you’ll need to use your weapons – like pistols, tommy guns, and shotguns – to fight your way through challenging locations and solve the case.

Okay, so the combat is seriously fast-paced, just like old-school DOOM. You’re constantly moving, trying to find ways to use the environment – exploding barrels, stuff hanging from the ceiling – to take out enemies quicker. Basically, you blast through all the bad guys, grab the health and ammo they drop, and then repeat the whole process in the next area. It’s a loop, but it’s a fun loop!

The game features a central area for upgrading weapons, chatting with characters, and reviewing clues on a detective board. You navigate between missions using an overhead map. However, the main focus is fast-paced first-person shooting, with brief, light platforming sections offering occasional breaks from the action.

The game’s core gameplay, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive before the end. This repetition unfortunately diminishes the fun, and the game feels a little longer than it needs to be.

The game consistently impresses with its beautiful art and animations. The striking black and white visuals and unique 2D characters perfectly complement the noir atmosphere, creating a visually stunning experience. It’s not just beautiful to look at – the sound design is equally impressive, and the whole game radiates style and charm.

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire has fantastic art and animation, and its shooting action is fun. It does those things really well, but don’t go in expecting a lot beyond that.

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2026-04-15 15:06