If you’ve been hanging around the Xbox store lately, you’ve probably seen a thumbnail that looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1930s Disney vault—only, instead of whistling on a steamboat, the mouse is packing a Tommy gun.
I just finished my first full run of Mouse: P.I. For Hire, and honestly? It’s one of the most visually stunning and unapologetically fun shooters I’ve played in years. If you’re a fan of Cuphead’s art style but always wished you could play it as a fast-paced “boomer shooter” like Doom or Bioshock, this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
The Vibe: Steamboat Willie Meets John Wick
The first thing that hits you is the look. It’s all black-and-white, hand-drawn “rubber-hose” animation. We’ve seen this aesthetic before, but seeing it in a first-person perspective is a total trip. Every time you reload your gun, the bullets have little faces and personalities. When you get a headshot, an enemy’s head pops with a classic cartoon “bang!” effect.
The setting, Mouseburg, is a gritty, noir-soaked city where “cheeselegging” is a capital crime and the jazz is as smooth as the corruption is deep. Playing as Jack Pepper (voiced by the legendary Troy Baker, who absolutely nails the gravelly, hardboiled detective voice), you really feel like you’re stuck in a dark 1930s mystery.
The Gameplay: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Don’t let the cute ears fool you—this game is fast. It’s a “boomer shooter” at heart, meaning you aren’t hiding behind cover; you’re sprinting, double-jumping, and wall-running while blasting through gangs of rats and crooked cops.
- The Arsenal: You get a massive variety of weapons, and they all feel “heavy” despite the 2D look. You can upgrade them too, unlocking alt-fire modes that turn your standard pistol into a room-clearer.
- The “Spinach” Mechanic: In a hilarious nod to Popeye, you can find cans of spinach that let you “hulk out,” ditching the guns to just pummel enemies with giant cartoon fists.
- The Detective Work: Between the shootouts, there’s actually some “gumshoe” stuff to do. You’ve got a Crime Wall in your office where you pin clues and photos to figure out where the story is headed. It’s a nice change of pace that keeps the world feeling alive.
Is it perfect?
Not quite. Some of the platforming sections can be a little floaty, and the “noir” storytelling sometimes clashes with the wacky cartoon violence in a way that might feel jarring if you’re looking for a super serious plot. Also, if you aren’t a fan of black-and-white visuals, the constant flickering film grain (though you can toggle it) might be a bit much for your eyes after a four-hour session.
Final Verdict
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a rare gem. It takes a massive risk with its art style and backs it up with gunplay that actually feels tight and rewarding. It’s stylish, it’s funny, and it’s a love letter to both classic animation and old-school shooters.
If you want something that looks like nothing else on your dashboard and lets you live out your “detective mouse with a shotgun” fantasies, go grab this. It’s a “gouda” time. (Sorry, I had to.)
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