A stylish noir shooter that already feels worth the wait

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After several delays and uncertainty around its release date, Mouse P.I. For Hire is finally set to launch on April 16, 2026. Considering the number of postponements that happened in the past, I initially thought the game might still be at least a year away. So it was a pleasant surprise to learn that the release is now confirmed, and I also got the chance to try a short preview build.

After completing my first playthrough of the preview, I can confidently say that the game feels like it was worth the wait. Everything from the art style and music to the gameplay and smaller details feels carefully crafted. Even though the preview lasted only around 30 minutes, it left a long-lasting impression. By the time the preview ended, I just wanted to keep playing.

If the final game manages to deliver on what this preview showed, Mouse P.I. For Hire could easily become one of my favorite indie releases in recent history.

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: A creative FPS with stunning cartoon visuals

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: First impressions

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the opening presentation. As soon as the intro started, a vintage male acapella track began playing along with the studio and publisher logos. It was followed by some energetic jazz music that immediately set the detective tone. The music fits perfectly with the black and white cartoon noir style that Fumi Games is going for.

The main menu looks great (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)The main menu looks great (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
The main menu looks great (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

Additionally, the game also loads surprisingly fast. Even on the first launch, I was able to get into the gameplay almost immediately, without having to wait through long menus or pre-rendering of the shaders.

Since this was only a preview build, the section we played was intentionally spoiler-free. Instead of starting from the beginning of the story, the game drops you directly into the middle of a mission. You play as P.I. Jack Pepper, who is tasked with exploring a secret lab and searching for information about someone named Steve.

The game blends 2D and 3D elements creatively (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)The game blends 2D and 3D elements creatively (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
The game blends 2D and 3D elements creatively (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

Once the game placed the weapon in my hand and allowed me to look around the environment, I was immediately impressed by how well the art style works in motion. The developers have taken an interesting approach towards the visuals, where the characters and weapons are 2D, while the surrounding world is in 3D.

The environment reminded me a little of Fortnite OG, which also uses cartoon-style assets. In Mouse P.I. For Hire, however, these assets look more striking because of the classic 1930s animation style in black and white. The characters and weapons move with exaggerated cartoon animations, which further enhances the experience.

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: Combat and gameplay

Automatic Turpentine Cleanser (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)Automatic Turpentine Cleanser (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
Automatic Turpentine Cleanser (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

Combat is one of the biggest highlights of the game. The gunplay feels really smooth, and every weapon has a satisfying sound and impact, which makes shooting enemies feel rewarding. Two of my favorites were the Automatic Turpentine Cleanser and the Jame Gun, both of which were powerful and fun to use.

There are several puzzles in the game (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)There are several puzzles in the game (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
There are several puzzles in the game (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

Outside of combat, the preview also included some puzzles that unlocked different sections of the laboratory. Most of them are simple, but they help break up the constant action and make exploration feel a bit more engaging. One mechanic that felt slightly unnecessary to me was the lockpicking minigame, which didn’t add much to the experience.

The controls are also very straightforward, with no steep learning curve. Within a few minutes, I was already comfortable moving around, shooting enemies, and interacting with the environment. The basic movement feels smooth, and the double jump makes navigating the environment much easier, especially during combat sequences.

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: Boss fights

Since the preview lasted only about 30 minutes, there wasn’t a huge amount of content to experience. However, the laboratory section did include three boss fights. All three bosses were robotic creations built inside the secret facility, and each one was slightly stronger than the previous one.

The third boss fight was the hardest (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)The third boss fight was the hardest (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
The third boss fight was the hardest (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

The first two boss fights did not really feel like full boss battles. Both of them were defeated within a couple of minutes without requiring any strategy. The third boss, however, was more interesting. This encounter forced me to constantly move around the area while managing my health and ammunition. The boss had stronger attacks and required a lot more attention compared to the earlier fights. Even then, I managed to defeat the robot on my first attempt.

While the fight itself was well-designed, I do think the bosses could be slightly more challenging. Adding more attack patterns or longer phases would make them feel more memorable and increase the replayability factor. That said, this was only a preview build, so there’s a good chance that the full game will feature more complex boss encounters.

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: Open-world elements

Fast travel in Mouse P.I. For Hire (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)Fast travel in Mouse P.I. For Hire (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
Fast travel in Mouse P.I. For Hire (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

After completing the laboratory section, the preview briefly introduced some of the open-world elements of the game. One interesting feature is the fast travel system. Instead of simply selecting locations from a menu, you travel across the map using a small car. It is a simple mechanic, but it adds a bit of personality and makes moving between areas more interactive.

The open world itself looks promising, with multiple buildings to explore and hidden collectibles scattered throughout the city. The preview ended with a short moment in Jack Pepper’s office, where you pin clues onto a board as part of the investigation system. This small feature is a nice touch and fits perfectly with the detective theme of the game.

Mouse P.I. For Hire preview: In conclusion

Mouse P.I. For Hire has a lot of potential (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)Mouse P.I. For Hire has a lot of potential (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)
Mouse P.I. For Hire has a lot of potential (Image via Fumi Games || Sportskeeda)

Even though this preview was only around 30 minutes long, it left a strong impression on me. Mouse P.I. For Hire stands out because of how confidently it commits to its art style. The black and white theme, jazz soundtracks, and noir atmosphere all work together to create something that feels very different from most shooters.

Creative projects like this are what keep genres fresh and interesting. If the final version expands on what we saw here, Mouse P.I. For Hire could end up being one of the best games of 2026.