MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Is 2026's Most Stylish Shooter and It's Not Even Close

There is no shortage of indie shooters on Steam. But very few stop you mid-scroll with a single screenshot. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire does exactly that. Developed by Australian studio Fumi Games and published by PlaySide, this noir detective FPS wraps classic boomer shooter mechanics in hand-drawn 1930s rubber hose animation. Every frame looks ripped from a Fleischer Brothers cartoon, and early hands-on previews suggest the gameplay backs up the stunning visuals.

MOUSE launches on April 16, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. At $29.99 for 12 to 20 hours of content, it sits in a sweet spot for indie shooters. Here’s everything we know so far.

A Cartoon You Can Shoot Through

The art style is the headline, and it deserves to be. Fumi Games drew every character and weapon frame by frame in a black and white rubber hose style. Think Cuphead meets film noir. The twist: characters and weapons are 2D sprites layered over fully 3D environments, creating a striking visual contrast that makes Mouseburg feel like a living cartoon set.

You play as Jack Pepper, a hardboiled mouse detective voiced by Troy Baker. The story follows Jack through 20+ noir levels as he unravels crime and corruption across the city of Mouseburg. The narrative mixes detective fiction tropes with slapstick cartoon humor, and early previews praise how well those two tones coexist.

Boomer Shooter Meets Cartoon Physics

MOUSE is not a walking sim in a pretty wrapper. The combat is fast, twitchy, and built on classic FPS foundations. You get 12+ weapons, each with its own cartoon personality. The standout? A weapon called the Devarnisher that fires turpentine balls, dissolving enemies in a Who Framed Roger Rabbit style melt. It is as satisfying as it sounds.

Movement abilities unlock as you progress. Wall running, grapple hooks, and double jumps keep the pace frantic. Between shootouts, Jack investigates crime scenes with a unique tail pick lockpicking mechanic that plays like the classic game Snake. It is a clever break from the action that fits the detective theme perfectly.

Why Previews Are Calling It “This Year’s Most Surprising Shooter”

The hands-on coverage from major outlets paints a consistent picture. Xbox Wire called it “this year’s most surprising shooter.” PlayStation Blog praised the responsive shooting and varied level activities. GamingBible went as far as calling it “the most original FPS I’ve ever come across.”

The consensus: Fumi Games clearly understands that a striking art style needs gameplay to match. MOUSE is not a gimmick. It is a proper shooter with style to spare.

What We’re Watching For

A few questions remain heading into launch:

• Performance on Switch. The hand-drawn art style and 3D environments are demanding. How well does it hold up on handheld?
• Story depth. The noir detective setup is promising, but 20+ levels is a lot of ground to cover. Can the narrative hold attention that long?
• Replay value. No word yet on New Game+, difficulty modes, or post-launch content.

Should You Wishlist It?

If you enjoy shooters with personality, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire should be on your radar. The visual style alone makes it one of the most distinctive indie games of 2026. The early gameplay impressions suggest the substance matches the style.

At $29.99, it is priced to compete with the best indie shooters on the market. With launches on every major platform day one, there is no excuse to skip this one.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire launches April 16, 2026. Wishlist it on Steam now.

If you are tracking the biggest indie releases this year, check out our Best Indie Games of 2026 So Far roundup. For more first-person action with indie flair, browse our action genre page.