Mouse: P.I. for Hire — Everything We Know

Mouse P.I. for Hire is bringing classic cartoon style and first-person shooter action together like never before. With its 1930s-inspired hand-drawn animation, smooth jazz soundtrack, and explosive FPS gameplay, this upcoming title is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about releases of 2025.

But it’s not just the visual style that stands out. At the center is a gritty noir detective story, packed with high-powered cartoon weapons, chaotic enemies, and levels full of secrets. The excitement has only grown with the announcement that legendary voice actor Troy Baker will be playing lead character Jack Pepper.

Now, with fresh details confirmed by developer Fumi Games and publisher PlaySide Publishing, we’ve got a much clearer picture of what to expect. From gameplay and story to supported platforms and release plans — here’s everything we know about Mouse: P.I. for Hire.

What is Mouse P.I. for Hire?

It’s an upcoming first-person shooter with a crazy cartoon twist. The devs describe it as “gritty, noir-fueled” but with rubber-hose animation and a jazz soundtrack. In other words, think old black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoons crossed with a boomstick.

You’ll play as Jack Pepper, a private eye in a city called Mouseburg, blasting cartoon bad guys with oversized, goofy weapons. The art is full of retro vibes – monochrome graphics and stylized animation – but the gameplay promises real FPS action. In short, it’s like playing inside a 1930s cartoon film but with unique weapons.

Mouse: P.I. for Hire Story

In Mouse: P.I. for Hire, you step into the role of Jack Pepper — a former war hero turned private investigator, trying to survive in the dangerous streets of Mouseburg. The city may look charming in black-and-white cartoon style, but don’t be fooled. Behind the rubber hose animation and smooth jazz soundtrack is a place crawling with gangs, mobs, and corruption.

The story kicks off with what feels like a classic case, but things quickly spiral out of control. As Pepper digs deeper, he uncovers a web of crime and dark secrets hidden in every alley and backroom. The further he goes, the more twisted the case becomes. In short, it seems to be a fight to clean up a city that’s rotting from the inside.

Mouse: P.I. for Hire Gameplay

From what the devs have shared so far, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is shaping up to be a wild mix of cartoon chaos and classic first-person shooter action. This isn’t your usual FPS — it’s loud, fast, and packed with personality. You’ll take on the role of Jack Pepper as he fights through a noir-style city using over-the-top weapons, power-ups, and platforming tools that look like they came straight out of a mad cartoonist’s notebook.

Let’s talk weapons first. You’ve got your standard tommy guns and classic firepower — but with a twist. These include creatively designed experimental tools like the CLEAN-D Turpentine Gun, which sprays corrosive chemicals to “clean up” enemies, the COOL-D Freeze Gun that freezes foes solid, and the MIND-D Conscious Gun that hypnotizes targets. These are the kind of weapons that look silly at first but actually bring some seriously creative options to combat. According to the devs, boss battles will be just as ridiculous, with enemies that explode or collapse in true cartoon fashion.

The city of Mouseburg acts as a large, dangerous playground. Players will explore a variety of locations — from film studios and casinos to sewers and swamp lands. The game will feature non-linear maps, giving players freedom to explore and uncover collectibles, clues, and hidden mini-games. It’s not just about running and gunning, there’s a strong sense of world-building, and Mouseburg is filled with shady alleys, secret paths, and surprises waiting around every corner. And to make gameplay even more fun, there are cartoon-style power-ups that give Jack new abilities.

Development

Mouse P.I. for Hire is being made by a small indie team called Fumi Games, and it’s being published by PlaySide Studios. PlaySide has made some creative games before, and now they’re helping Fumi bring this cartoon-style FPS to life.

One exciting update is that Troy Baker is joining the game as the voice of Jack Pepper. You might know him as Joel from The Last of Us or Booker from Bioshock Infinite. The team announced this during Summer Game Fest, and it got a lot of players excited.

Troy shared how much he’s been interested in the game and said:

“I have been following the development of MOUSE: P.I. For Hire since it was first teased. Its art style, gameplay and 1930s film-noir aesthetic continue to win me over. I cannot wait to keep working with the team to bring Jack Pepper to life and hope to have some exciting things to share as we get closer to launch!”

Having someone like Troy Baker involved shows the team is serious about making this a big and memorable game.

Trailer

We recently got a short trailer during Summer Game Fest 2025. It shows off the game’s classic cartoon-style visuals, with Jack Pepper using different weapons while fighting across various locations. The trailer ends with the reveal that Troy Baker is voicing Jack Pepper. Be sure to check out the video embedded above.

Mouse P.I. for Hire – Release Date, Platforms and Editions

Mouse: P.I. for Hire is set to launch in 2025 and will be available on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The developers haven’t shared an exact release date or details on special editions just yet. You can follow the official social media account of the Mouse game to get the latest updates on the release date or any new details here.