MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Review

I’ve had my eye on Mouse P.I. For Hire for a long time. Ever since it was first revealed, it stood out in a way that most games just don’t. That black-and-white, Steamboat Willie animation style felt like something pulled straight out of a forgotten cartoon archive, but twisted into something darker, moodier, and a little bit dangerous. It looked bold. It looked different. And more importantly, it looked like it had a distinct identity.

Now that it’s finally here, I can say it mostly lives up to that promise. It’s a detective game with a strong sense of tone, a clear creative vision, and just enough grit under its fingernails to separate it from the pack. It’s not perfect, and there are definitely moments where things don’t quite click, but there’s a lot more going on here than just a striking art style.

At its core, Mouse P.I. For Hire is a story about Jack Pepper, a private investigator navigating a city full of crooks, secrets, and bad decisions. Jack fits neatly into that classic noir archetype. He’s rough around the edges, a little cynical, and always seems like he’s one step away from either cracking the case or completely losing control of it. But what I liked is that he doesn’t feel like a generic copy of the trope. There’s personality there, and the game leans into it.

The story unfolds across three main cases, each with its own mystery to solve, but they’re all tied together by a larger narrative that slowly builds in the background. I appreciated how the game lets each case breathe while still pushing that overarching story forward. It never feels like you’re just jumping between unrelated missions. There’s always a sense that something bigger is going on, and you’re gradually piecing it together.

The supporting cast does a lot of heavy lifting here too. On paper, many of them fall into familiar roles. You’ve got gangsters, informants, shady business types, and the usual mix of allies and suspects. But what elevates them is the writing and, more importantly, the performances. The voice acting across the board is strong, and it adds a lot of life to what could have been fairly standard characters.

Jack himself is a standout, and that’s not too surprising given he’s voiced by Troy Baker. What did catch me off guard, though, is how different he sounds here. The accent and delivery don’t immediately scream “that’s Troy Baker,” which made it easier to just buy into Jack as his own character. It’s a subtle thing, but it really works in the game’s favor.

One thing I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did was the humor. For a game that leans so heavily into noir aesthetics, it’s surprisingly funny. The writing is packed with puns and wordplay, it does sometimes feel forced, but it fits the world. It fits the characters. And combined with the exaggerated animations, it creates a tone that’s both gritty and playful at the same time.

The animations deserve a mention on their own. Whether it’s Jack firing a weapon, reloading, or even just downing a potion, everything has this exaggerated, almost slapstick quality to it. Enemies move in similarly expressive ways, which makes even standard combat encounters feel a bit more lively. It all ties back into that cartoon inspired style, and it helps the game maintain a consistent identity from start to finish.

I also really liked that Jack isn’t treated like a mostly silent protagonist. He talks. A lot. He comments on what’s happening, reacts to situations, and drives conversations in a meaningful way. It makes the whole experience feel more personal. You’re not just controlling a character. You’re stepping into his story. Over time, you start to see him change, even if it’s in small ways, and the same goes for some of the other characters as well. There’s a sense of progression there that adds weight to the narrative.

Gameplay-wise, the loop is a mix of combat, platforming, puzzle-solving, and investigation. Each stage usually has you moving through an area, dealing with enemies, navigating obstacles, and gathering clues. Once you’ve collected enough evidence, you head back to your P.I. office to piece everything together.

That part of the game immediately reminded me of the investigation sequences in Alan Wake 2. You’re essentially connecting pieces of evidence, forming conclusions, and trying to reconstruct what actually happened. It’s a satisfying system when it works well, and it gives the game a bit more depth beyond just moving from one combat encounter to the next.

Combat itself is a big part of the experience, and it’s where things get a bit more mixed. There’s a solid variety of weapons to choose from, each with its own strengths. You’ve got your standard pistol for reliable, consistent damage, shotguns for close-range bursts, and more experimental weapons that lean into the game’s quirky tone. Some are great for crowd control, others are better for picking off enemies at a distance.

Enemy encounters can get pretty intense, especially during boss fights. There’s a decent challenge here, and I found myself having to switch up my approach depending on the situation. That said, the shooting mechanics took some getting used to. The controls feel a bit loose, and there were times, especially in more chaotic fights, where I felt like I wasn’t able to aim as precisely as I wanted.

It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does hold it back. I kept wishing for a more consistent aim down sights option across all weapons. That extra layer of precision would have made a big difference, particularly in tougher encounters where accuracy really matters.

The structure of the game is fairly linear, but I actually think that works in its favor. You’re almost always moving forward, heading toward the next objective, and that keeps the pacing steady. At the same time, there are plenty of side paths and hidden areas tucked away throughout each level. If you take the time to explore, you’ll usually find collectibles, extra resources, or little secrets that make it worth the effort.

It strikes a nice balance. You can stick to the main path and keep things moving, or you can slow down and dig a bit deeper into each area. Either way, it feels like the game respects your time.

Visually, this is where Mouse P.I. For Hire really shines. The noir aesthetic, combined with that old-school cartoon style, creates something that feels genuinely unique. It actually reminded me quite a bit of Grim Fandango, not just in how it looks, but in how it blends humor with darker themes.

The use of lighting, shadows, and exaggerated character designs all come together to create a world that’s both stylish and memorable. It’s the kind of game where you could pause at almost any moment and appreciate the composition of what’s on screen.

The soundtrack complements all of this really well. It leans into that classic noir sound, with jazzy undertones and moody melodies that fit the setting perfectly. What I found especially interesting is the option to apply different audio filters. You can make the music sound like it’s coming through an old radio or a worn-out vinyl record. It’s a small touch, but it adds another layer of immersion if you want it.

Of course, it’s not without its flaws. Beyond the shooting mechanics, I did feel like some sections of the game could have been trimmed down. There are moments where it feels like you’re doing tasks that exist mainly to pad out the runtime. It’s not a particularly long game, but it still could have benefited from tighter pacing in certain areas.

A couple of the cases drag just a bit longer than they need to, and that can take away from the overall momentum. If those segments had been streamlined, the experience as a whole would have felt sharper and more focused.

Even with those issues, though, I came away from Mouse P.I. For Hire feeling positive about it. It’s a game that knows what it wants to be and commits to it fully. The visual style isn’t just a gimmick. It’s supported by strong writing, solid performances, and a gameplay loop that, while not perfect, is engaging enough to keep you invested.

In the end, it’s more than just a good looking game. It’s a creative take on the detective genre that manages to carve out its own identity. It stumbles in a few places, particularly with combat precision and pacing, but there’s a lot here to appreciate. If you’ve been drawn in by its style, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to enjoy beneath the surface too.

A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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