Noir, Jazz, and Guns: MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Launches With 1930s Cartoon-Style Graphics

The cartoon noir first-person shooter MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has officially launched on PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 — and it’s already earning high praise from the press.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is described as a fast-paced first-person shooter with a detective-driven story set in the noir city of Mouseburg. Players step into the shoes of Jack Pepper, a former soldier turned private investigator, who’s on the trail of a missing person case that soon unravels into a sprawling conspiracy of corruption and crime gripping the city.

The game features a distinctive black-and-white animation style inspired by 1930s cartoons, complete with hand-crafted “rubber hose” animation that creates a unique vintage visual vibe. Gameplay emphasizes constant movement and dynamic combat, mixing shootouts with exploration and platforming elements — including acrobatic moves and searching for alternative routes. Players have access to a wide arsenal of cartoonish weapons and power-ups that shape the pace and outcome of each battle.

Mouseburg itself is a sprawling, diverse city packed with locations to explore, from grimy streets and studios to theaters and underground tunnels, all filled with secrets and side cases. The soundtrack is done in big band jazz style, perfectly capturing the noir and retro detective atmosphere.

By the way, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is one of the most anticipated games of the month on Steam.

Have you tried MOUSE: P.I. For Hire yet? Share your first impressions!