If you’ve been scouring the internet for a game that looks like a lost 1930s cartoon but plays like a high-octane fever dream of DOOM and BioShock, your investigation ends here. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has officially launched, and it’s proving to be much more than just a stylish gimmick.
Developed by the Polish studio Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios, this “rubberhose” FPS has been one of our most anticipated titles here at TechMash. Now that it’s in our hands, we can confirm: the wait for Jack Pepper’s noir adventure was well worth it.
The Aesthetic: Ink, Lead, and Old-School Charm
The first thing that hits you is the visuals. MOUSE uses a hand-drawn, black-and-white art style heavily inspired by the golden age of animation. Imagine the whimsy of Cuphead mashed together with the grit of a 1940s detective novel.
But don’t let the bouncy animations fool you. This is a Mature experience. The contrast between the “Disney-esque” character designs and the “ultraviolence” of the gameplay is jarring in the best way possible.
- Hand-Drawn Mayhem: Every enemy and weapon is animated frame-by-frame.
- Creative Carnage: Expect cartoonish but brutal death animations—enemies vaporising into piles of ash (with blinking eyes on top) or shattering like ink-filled glass.
- Big Band Beats: The soundtrack, composed by Patryk Scelina, features a pulsing jazz score that syncs perfectly with your trigger pulls.
Meet Jack Pepper: A Rodent with a Grudge
You play as Jack Pepper, a war veteran turned private investigator, voiced by the legendary Troy Baker. Jack isn’t just a mouse with a gun; he’s a hard-boiled detective navigating the corrupt streets of Mouseburg.
The story goes deep into the seedy underbelly of a city where “cheeselegging” is a capital crime and the local “Big Mouse Party” is up to no good. You’ll spend your time:
- Solving Cases: Searching for clues, interviewing NPCs, and taking crime scene photos.
- Exploring the Hub: Upgrading your gear at Tammy’s workshop or grabbing a drink at the “Little & Big” pub.
- Surviving the Streets: Using an arsenal that ranges from classic Tommy Guns to “Experimental” weapons like a psychic brain in a jar.
Gameplay: Speed is Your Best Friend
In terms of mechanics, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a “boomer shooter” at heart, but with modern agility. Jack is nimble, and you’ll need to master his movement to survive.
| Feature | Description |
| Mobility | Includes double-jumping, wall-running, and a dash mechanic. |
| Gadgets | Jack can use his tail as a grappling hook and a helicopter-blade hat to glide. |
| Interactivity | Drop anvils on goons or use “Fantastic-O-Matic” machines for power-ups. |
| Length | A solid 12–15 hour campaign filled with secrets and noir twists. |
Availability and Platforms
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire released on April 16, 2026. You can currently pick it up digitally for £24.99 / $29.99.
- Current-Gen: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the new Nintendo Switch 2.
- Previous-Gen: Versions for PS4, Xbox One, and the original Nintendo Switch are confirmed to be coming later this year.
- Physical Collectors: A “Mouseburg Edition” is slated for July 10, 2026, for those who want a physical disc or cartridge for their shelf.
TechMash Verdict: It’s rare to see a game lean so heavily into an art style and still deliver tight, responsive gameplay. If you’re a fan of FPS history or just want to see a mouse smoke a cigar while dual-wielding pistols, this is your Game of the Year contender.
Are you planning to dive into the black-and-white chaos of Mouseburg, or is the “rubberhose” style a bit too trippy for your taste?
Find out more here – https://www.mousethegame.com/
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