Indie studio Fumi Games have released gameplay footage for their upcoming first person shooter ‘MOUSE’ on December 12th alongside the announcement for a planned release of the game in 2025.
“MOUSE” is a first-person shooter (FPS) inspired by 1930s animation. With a black and white noir vibe, it’s evident that the inspiration for MOUSE in terms of its art direction comes entirely from early Walt Disney hand-drawn animations such as Mickey Mouse.
The game’s environment captures a nostalgic ambiance reminiscent of that era, unfolding in a city where corrupt politicians are orchestrating schemes in the shadows. These politicians appear to be planning a takeover of the city, prompting the protagonist, private detective “John Mouston” to pursue justice while engaging in conflicts with underworld figures like gangs.
In the revealed gameplay footage, the main character utilizes a variety of weapons, including revolvers, shotguns, submachine guns, and sniper rifles.
Additionally, there are scenes depicting the character throwing dynamite. Consuming canned goods, seemingly containing vegetables, bestows the ability to knock out enemies with punches for a specific duration. Furthermore, drinking from a cup enables the character to wield a finger gun for a limited time.
Such sequences are more than likely a nod to the likes of “Popeye” alongside other American animations of a similar time period.
The distinctive monochromatic animated visual style is the most standout feature. The stage environments are meticulously crafted in 3D, while the characters maintain a 2D format, showcasing animations reminiscent of classic cartoons with the actual gameplay itself reminding me so much of DOOM and Quake with its 2D/3D format.
According to international media outlet IGN, which premiered the gameplay footage, the developers aspire to replicate the success of ‘Cuphead’ within the FPS genre. The objective is a faithful and genuine recreation of 1930s animated aesthetics seamlessly integrated into the game, which I for one believe they’ve captured perfectly.
I have a deep appreciation for indie titles like these. In contrast to the prevalent trend in Western game development, which appears fixated on ESG scoring, as evident from this year’s Game Awards ceremony where, interestingly, numerous Western game developers regardless of size simultaneously adopted the trope of featuring a black female protagonist.
This seems like a concerted effort to boost their ESG scores and fulfill diversity quotas. Meanwhile, the dedicated team at Fumi Games has passionately crafted a game reminiscent of DOOM, embracing the artistic style of early American animation.
In my perspective, video games are a realm of escapism where developers should have the freedom to explore new depths and unleash their creativity, rather than being solely fixated on the pursuit of uglifying character designs in the vain of “realism” to receive imaginary hedge fund capital backed by the likes of Blackrock and Vanguard.
In terms of games that are actually worth purchasing, I would favor giving my money to the team at Fumi Games over the long-awaited intrinsic woke sequel to the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
“MOUSE” is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam in 2025. The official website indicates that the game is also in development for the Nintendo Switch, as well as the PlayStation and Xbox platforms, I for one will continue to follow this game with great interest as it not only looks as if it was lovingly crafted by a dedicated group but without a doubt it’ll provide hours of earnest entertainment upon its release.
