When the first gameplay clips for MOUSE: P.I. For Hire showed up online, many referred to it as the “Mickey Mouse with a gun game” — or maybe that was just me? It seemed like a nice little gimmick to get us interested, and the smooth visuals kept our attention. 

After spending more than fifteen hours in Mouseburg this past week, I can now say that this game is way more complex than my initial impressions. In fact, I have rarely thought about Steamboat Willy or any early Mickey Mouse shorts while playing MOUSE: P.I. For Hire. I am noticing inspiration from elsewhere though — games, films, music, time periods, and more.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire takes place during the 1930s and sports that classic detective noir tone. The story is taking me back to watching The Maltese Falcon and other Humphrey Bogart black and white detective films of that time.

“Jack Pepper is a hard-boiled private dick (or detective) in Mouseburg, a town full of crime, corruption, gangs, crooked coppers, and plenty of snazzy jazz music that’ll blow your wig.”

-not a direct quote from the development team or publisher, but my attempt at some 1930s talk.

Nods, Odes, & Inspos

This isn’t just another classic hard-boiled case-of-the-week crime drama set in a specific time period translated to a cartoon world. Jack Pepper’s world is oozing with inspiration from so many different projects.

Cuphead-like Sounds & Visuals

Cuphead was a game that proved that classic rubber hose animation could be implemented into a video game. That bouncing in place effect gives the world a lived in feel, even when characters are standing still. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire takes it further by giving items that bouncing movement. It’s easier to seek out interactive items vs backgrounds.

The sounds of Mouseburg are also similar to those of Cuphead. The world map is almost a black and white version of the Cuphead style of map, but you get to explore it in your car. Other than the time period, animation style, music, and map layout these are two totally different games. Cuphead is a run-and-gun platformer, while MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a 3D first-person shooter.

Odes to Film | Indy & Roger

Jack Pepper is voiced by the great Troy Baker, who has brought to life so many legendary video game characters over the years. He recently played Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. While playing this game, I could hear both a young Harrison Ford and Troy Baker as Indy.

If you skipped Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, you need to go back and play it just for that performance. Mouseburg’s Hollywood-style Tinsel Town even features some small nods to Indiana Jones.

Another great film from my childhood constantly comes to mind while playing MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is Who Framed Roger Rabbit? That film also took a 3D world (our world) and filled it with 2D animated characters — and it came out way before Space Jam. The movie also takes place in a similar setting (the late 1940s) and features crime and conspiracies.

Anytime Jack Pepper is killed in action he becomes an angel playing a harp. A classic cartoon trope, which also happens to Judge Doom’s (Christopher Lloyd’s) weasels towards the end of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Anime Bebop

The more I go into battle and hear the action music track in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire the more I’m transported to the world of Cowboy Bebop. More specifically to the opening song, TANK! Both songs feature a similar, if not the same, arrangement of horns.

The MOUSE: P.I. For Hire soundtrack features a bunch of jazz tracks and 1930s-themed music. The music may all fit that time period, but there’s still variety between tracks. There are also different versions of Jack Pepper’s theme for different situations — like Quiet Jack, Determined Jack, Action Jack (not actual song titles.

A Minor Infraction

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a technical achievement in animation. The team at Fumi Games created a 3D world with 2D animated characters, and it looks fantastic. I’m sure they had to go through a few iterations in order to get it right, but boy did they get it right! Much of the joy I get from playing MOUSE: P.I. For Hire comes from noticing the little details on the screen.

There is however one small problem I have come across, and that’s the shooting. It’s not a deal breaker, but the controls could be a bit tighter. It’s 2026, and we have certain FPS standards thanks to games like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and anything from Bungie (Destiny and Marathon). Even John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando had a great feel to it.

If the shooting in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire was as good as or closer to some of those games, it would be a near perfect game for me. Still, I can look past it because the shooting is good enough, and the story, voice acting, and visuals have my full attention. Shooting only becomes a problem when there’s a large enemy horde, especially when playing on my PlayStation Portal. I end up dying a couple of times, but ultimately get through it and move on.

There were certain moments where it felt like the game had plateaued and was about to become repetitive. Whenever I started to feel that way the mechanics would shake things up. For example, one boss fight became about using Jack’s flashlight to help defeat the boss. It was very Alan Wake or even Luigi’s Mansion — Boom, more game inspiration!

I just came across a part of the game where part of the world is in full color, and it looks beautiful. I kind of saw some color peaking out behind a wall and thought I found a bug. Then I opened the door and I was on the Yellow Brick Road set in The Wizard of Oz — more outside inspiration!

Death, Guns, & Glory

The more you explore the more Jack Pepper’s armory of weaponry expands — all upgradable. I’ve mostly stuck to one gun, the James Gun (a Tommy Gun-like machine gun, with the same name as head of DCU, James Gunn). I’m also a fan of the Devarnisher, which launches poison. Shotguns are always good in close quarters.

I’m really impressed by the assortment of animated deaths of NPCs depending on your weapon of choice. Enemies may collapse to the ground, lose their head, melt away, or become a pile of ashes with eyes. There are so many terrible ways for these criminals to perish in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire.

What’s a first-person shooter without some mini games? Using your tail as a lockpick to solve puzzles and open doors and safes is always rewarding. There’s also a baseball trading card game which allows you to use cards you find throughout the game, or purchase in the shop to gamble.

Cheesy Tropes

I’ve come across plenty of the typical tropes seen in any classic detective noir film of the 1930s — political corruption, crime, crooked coppers. The tropes are set in the backdrop of a world full of humanoid mice (and some other animals) where cheese is king! Cheese takes the form of food, fuel, alcohol, drugs, and cheesy puns in Mouseburg.

The characters are full of life. The voice acting (not just Troy, but every character) is executed so well that I rarely skip any dialogue. I want the whole story told to me.

I have yet to reach the end of Jack Pepper’s story, but I have given this game a lot of time. The story has actually carried on for much longer than I had expected, and that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to seeing this one through to the end.

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*myVGBC received a review code for MOUSE: P.I. For Hire from the publisher.