MOUSE: P.I. For Hire PS5

One of the most promising indie games of 2026 so far, MOUSE: P.I. for Hire launches on PS5 later in the week. Ahead of launch, critic reviews have now been published to a current Metacritic rating of 80 for the PC version.

So far, the verdicts published constantly praise the 1930s rubber hose art style, but there are criticisms out there for the FPS gameplay and story.

We'll have a Push Square review to share as soon as possible. We have been provided with PS5 review code, but only as of this weekend. We haven't spent enough time with the title to come to a verdict just yet. For now, you can read through a number of other reviews from outlets below.

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Destructoid - 9.5/10

Color graded in black and white, don't be fooled by its noir film aesthetic—this FPS is vibrant. A true passion project that's pure entertainment from start to finish, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is an impressive and unpredictably wild rollercoaster ride of high octane action, witty dialogue, and innovative fun. Side effects from playing MOUSE: P.I. For Hire may include: Humming to the main theme when completing ordinary tasks, making cheese puns in conversation, seeing the world in black and white, wishing Call of Duty had animated bullets, and adding detective experience onto your resume. Be warned, you'll want all future games to be as detailed as this, I certainly do.

Worth Playing - 9/10

Mouse: P.I. for Hire is absolutely excellent. The presentation is stellar, with graphics that accomplish their goal of creating an interactive version of a 1930s cartoon. The soundtrack is good enough to convert players into fans of big band jazz. The shooting and platforming feel right, while the game clocks in at the right length. For fans of both shooting and action in general, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a must-have title.

Game Rant - 8/10

While MOUSE may fall into some trappings of the first-person shooter genre, it escapes largely unscathed and with the cheese. It is easily one of the most unique first-person shooters to hit the market in years, and it's definitely the most charming of the lot. Fumi Games poured every ounce of ink, sweat, and stubborn dreams it had into MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, and it's clear the end result was worth the effort.

Shacknews - 8/10

I’m a bit split on how I feel about Mouse: P.I. For Hire. I find its take on a mousey 1920s Prohibition Era fascinating. The cartoonish nature adds charm and personality, but it also sometimes dips its toes into heavy topics it feels like it wants me to invest in beyond the vibes of a Duke Nukem-like shooter, and I actually feel everything else clashes with that. It’s a game in which you take funny weapons into a series of arenas and kill everything in them. It’s really good at making that feel and look exciting! But then its story is one about hardboiled sleuthing, exploring intense topics of the Roaring 20s, and facing one’s painful past, and I’m just not sure that combination of beats is a synergistic fit for a bodycount this high. Fun? Yes. Quite. But it’s may simply be best to not think about it too much as you’re getting to the bottom of this mystery by aggressively de-inking every cartoon rodent that stands between Jack Pepper and the truth.

Giant Bomb - 6/10

Mouse: P.I. For Hire shows a deep love for animation of the era, but the gameplay and script lack the same level of care. A Gouda attempt, but nothing bleu me away. Cheesy in all the wrong ways.

IGN - 6/10

Mouse: P.I. for Hire nails the aesthetics of both the 1930s cartoons and the detective stories that inspired it, and it’s also an amusing boomer shooter that largely feels good as you’re playing it. But its haphazard marriage of noir storytelling tropes and shooter gameplay are often at odds with each other in uncomfortable ways that weaken both aspects, and the writing is so busy making references to other things that it’s actually painful to sit through at times. This FPS is solid enough if you just want to blast some cartoon mice and not think about it too hard – but once you do, all you’ll see are the seams where disparate ideas have been fused together, and no trenchcoat can hide the stink of that moldy cheese.

Have these reviews convinced you to buy MOUSE: P.I. For Hire on PS5 this week? Let us know in the comments below.