There is no shortage of retro-inspired shooters on the market, but none of them look or feel quite like MOUSE: P.I. For Hire. Developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide Studios, this first-person shooter draws its entire visual identity from the rubber hose cartoons of the 1930s, every frame hand-drawn in black and white with the kind of exaggerated motion and inkblot charm that defined the golden age of American animation. It launches on April 16, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
What makes MOUSE stand out is not just its aesthetic, though that alone would be enough to turn heads. It is a genuine attempt to build a first-person shooter that feels like playing inside a vintage cartoon, complete with a jazz-soaked soundtrack, slapstick combat gadgets, and a noir detective story that leans into the hardboiled tropes of the era with genuine affection.
Jack Pepper, Hardboiled Detective
Players step into the shoes of Jack Pepper, a mouse detective and former war hero who has seen better days. Voiced by Troy Baker, one of the most recognizable names in video game voice acting, Jack is a washed-up private investigator scraping by in the crime-ridden city of Mouseburg. When a case drops into his lap that connects the city's criminal underworld to something far larger and more dangerous, Jack is pulled back into the kind of trouble he spent years trying to forget.
Troy Baker's performance is central to the experience. Fumi Games has described the character as a blend of classic noir archetypes filtered through the absurdity of a cartoon animal world, and Baker's delivery reportedly walks that tightrope between genuine drama and playful self-awareness. The studio has emphasized that the story plays its emotional beats straight even when the world around the player is visually comedic, a tonal balance that could give MOUSE a personality entirely its own.
Hand-Drawn, Frame by Frame
Every visual element in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has been drawn by hand, frame by frame, in a monochrome style that deliberately evokes the look of 1930s Fleischer and Disney cartoons. Environments stretch and squash with exaggerated perspective. Enemies bounce and wobble as they take damage. Even the UI elements look like they belong on a vintage animation cel.
The commitment to the aesthetic is total. Fumi Games has avoided the temptation to blend 3D geometry with a cartoon shader, instead opting for a purely hand-animated approach that gives the game a look unlike anything else in the FPS genre. It is a staggering amount of artwork for a small studio, and it is the single biggest reason MOUSE has been generating attention since its first trailer appeared.
Guns, Gadgets, and Gumshoe Work
Gameplay in MOUSE splits between two modes: detective investigation and combat. On the investigation side, players explore environments to find clues, interview characters, and solve environmental puzzles that advance the case. These sequences slow the pace down and give the noir narrative room to breathe, letting players absorb the world and its cast of colorful, cartoonish NPCs.
When things heat up, the shooting mechanics take center stage. Jack has access to a variety of period-appropriate firearms alongside a collection of cartoon gadgets that lean heavily into the slapstick side of the game's identity. Melee combat is also an option, and Fumi Games has described the weapon variety as designed to reward creativity and experimentation rather than funneling players into a single optimal loadout.
The blend of investigation and action is one of the most ambitious elements of the design. Many shooters have attempted to mix detective gameplay with combat, but the challenge is always pacing. Fumi Games has cited an estimated 12 to 20 hours of gameplay depending on how thoroughly players explore, which suggests the studio is leaning into the investigative side rather than treating it as filler between gunfights.
A Jazz Soundtrack That Sets the Mood
Complementing the visuals is an original jazz soundtrack performed by a big band orchestral ensemble. The music draws from the same era as the art, pulling in swing, bebop, and smoky lounge influences that reinforce the noir atmosphere at every turn. Fumi Games has emphasized that the soundtrack was composed specifically to match the game's shifting tones, from tense investigation sequences to frenetic combat encounters, and early previews have singled out the music as one of the game's strongest elements.
Platforms, Pricing, and Editions
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire launches on April 16 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Notably, there are no PS4, Xbox One, or original Nintendo Switch versions planned at launch, making this a current-gen and PC exclusive.
The standard edition is priced at $29.99, while a Deluxe edition at $39.99 includes additional cosmetic content and bonus materials. For collectors, a Mouseburg physical edition is scheduled for July 10, which will include a physical copy of the game alongside collectible items themed around the world of Mouseburg.
Why MOUSE Could Be Special
The indie FPS space has become one of the most creatively fertile corners of gaming, but MOUSE: P.I. For Hire stands apart by committing fully to a visual and tonal identity that no other game has attempted at this scale. The combination of hand-drawn 1930s animation, noir detective storytelling, Troy Baker's vocal performance, and a genuine jazz soundtrack is a package that feels genuinely original rather than derivative.
Whether the gameplay can match the ambition of the presentation is the question that will be answered on April 16. But if Fumi Games has nailed the balance between gumshoe investigation and cartoon-fueled gunplay, MOUSE could be one of the most memorable indie releases of 2026. At $29.99 for the standard edition, it is priced to invite curiosity. For fans of shooters, noir fiction, or classic animation, this is one to watch closely.