How often does it happen that after a hard day you just want to relax with a simple game where you don’t have to think too much and the fun is guaranteed at every level? Besides being fun, this game is also endlessly charming and I enjoyed it long before the bullets started flying. A cheese filled, mystery shoruded journey through a worn out noir underworld, Mouse P.I. For Hire‘s sharp style and atmosphere sells like a top notch whiskey, but whether the gameplay and story are just as good – that’s the case you’ll have to solve yourself.
In this rodent – inspired game, you slip into the trench coat of a mouse named Jack Pepper. Jack, a former war veteran and current private investigator, is tasked with solving a missing person case. However, as it always goes – the entire investigation spirals out of control and throws you into a nest of mystery and corruption in the very center of a city called Mouseburg.
The story is very interesting and constantly carries the vibe of 1920s detective films, where, of course, morally gray (no pun intended) characters appear, along with femme fatales and people who aren’t part of your family, but feel just as close, and the main character himself who’s a grumpy, yet charismatic detective always ready to pull a one liner from his pocket that will make you both laugh and roll your eyes.
The story is full of twists, but it’s also humorous and rarely takes itself seriously which perfectly matches the cartoon art style of the game. You can also find or buy newspapers that will tell you much more about the city of Mouseburg, such as news about worker protests, new political parties, mob bosses and more.
Throughout the game, you’ll meet a bunch of characters who are excellently designed and will grow on you, such as a mechanic Tammy Tumbler, journalist Wanda Fuller, waiter John Brown, politician Cornelius Stilton and many others who will either come to you or whom you will seek out. Each one of them is unique in design and the voice acting helps them stand out even more. Troy Baker, as the sarcastic Jack Pepper, is absolutely phenomenal as he manages to be both witty and composed at the same time, which perfectly suits the genre.
As you try to solve the case, the game will take you through various locations such as the subway, city docks, film sets, asylums, mansions and much more. You will also face various criminals who will try to stop your investigation, but fortunately, just as skilled he is with his one liners, Jack Pepper is equally skilled with his weapons.
In terms of gameplay, the game offers a bunch of weapons that you can modify over time if you collect enough schematics found throughout Mouseburg. Each weapon has three upgrades and each upgrade is visually represented, making the weapon both stronger and more interesting. Combat is quite fast and somewhat reminiscent of Doom, as it pushes you to use various weapons, some stranger than others (for example, you will have a Tommy Gun, or as it’s called in the game, a James Gun, a saw that shoots bones at enemies and can also be used as a melee weapon, a bazooka and a blaster that melts enemies and so on).
Game mechanics also forces you to dodge enemy bullets and sometimes get close to them where the dash ability comes in handy, allowing you to kill them faster or pick up health, ammo or even armor which you will definitely need. On top of all this, you will occasionally have the chance to pick up a ,,boost” in the game that can help you set enemies on fire, give you massive muscles for hand to hand combat or even allow you to…shoot from your finger, which luckily doesn’t consume ammo. In addition, you’ll be able to throw explosive barrels at enemies or skillfully hit a hanging piano that will fall right on their heads.
Throughout the game you will encounter various enemies, but you’ll also have the opportunity to jump into boss figths where, besides shooting, you’ll need to use abilities to avoid their attacks. Although the combat in this game isn’t innovative, it is certanly engaging, fast paced and satisfying.
Besides combat, you’ll need to collect various clues to help solve the case. However, in addition to clues, you will also be able to collect comic books and baseball cards that will be useful in a mini game and which you can also buy if you collect enough money throughout the levels.
The levels are briliantly designed, full of easter eggs and secret rooms which will always reward you either with weapon schematics or a safe that you’ll open using your tail and you’ll travel to those levels via an interactive map using your car.
The game is truly packed with small details, for example, every bullet in the bottom right corner looks different depending on the weapon you’re using. Even the way you reload your weapons looks different depending on it.
Although black and white, the levels are visually very interesting and never feel monotonous. Even when you think you’ve seen everything, a surprise will be waiting for you. On top of that, the game is accompanied by a phenomenal jazz soundtrack that perfectly fits the period and aesthetic.
We would like to thank PlaySide for providing us with a copy of the game for review purposes.
Mouse P.I. For Hire
Mouse P.I. For Hire is definitely a breath of fresh air being a great shooter that offers a ton of weapons and combines violence and humor and at no point feels empty. Almost every level, every scene is full of creativity and always offers something interesting to look at, while the fluidity of movement delivers fast and exciting gunplay with a true noir atmosphere as you carefully explore every corner to finally solve the case and push the villain in your mousetrap.
