Noir FPS Mouse and zany space adventure Galaxi Taxi are brimming with retro cartoon nostalgia
Polish indie studio Fumi Games recently dropped a new gameplay trailer for their retro cartoon inspired FPS Mouse. The game is set to release on the PC (Steam) in 2025. According to Fumi Games’ official website, it is also in development for Switch, PlayStation and Xbox platforms. The developer is also working on the 1990s Saturday morning cartoon-inspired Galaxi Taxi, also scheduled for a PC and console release.
Mouse appears to be a noir detective spoof with a swing jazz soundtrack. It’s crisp black and white cartoon visuals pay homage to the rubber hose art style from the 1920s and 1930s, calling to mind early Popeye, Felix the Cat and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The character designs seem to be particularly based on the initial outings of a very famous cartoon mouse. The game’s 2025 release date could be related to reports that the original Mickey Mouse design from Steamboat Willie (1928) is set to become public domain next year.
The new early gameplay trailer adds detailed backgrounds, noirish shadows and comic-style visual sound effects. You will play as hardboiled private detective John Mouston on his quest to rid a corrupt and chaotic city of unsavory gangsters. However, it seems that Mouse’s gritty, noirish aspects will be balanced out by the light-hearted cartoonish style and special effects. Even the game’s health bar appears to be a cheerful doodle of a heart that begins to look battered and bruised when you lose health.
As well as more conventional weapons like tommy guns, sniper rifles and revolvers, it seems that players will have access to an arsenal of power-ups and comedic weapons like finger guns (which can be activated by drinking a cup of coffee). Drinking a can of vegetable juice will let Mouston fight with his fists, an apparent homage to Popeye’s spinach-eating being the source of his strength.
Fumi Games is also working on a full-color 90’s cartoon-inspired 2D shoot’em-up called Galaxi Taxi. Part side scrolling shooter, part story-driven adventure game, Galaxi Taxi will see you take your customized ride through various zany locations throughout space. The vehicle gives off strong Mystery Machine and Magic School bus vibes, and the game’s colorful cartoon characters and enemies seem to reference older adventure games like Lucas Arts’ Day of the Tentacle (1993) and Sam and Max Hit the Road (1993).
In the past, games that hark back to old cartoons have gained cult followings such as 2017’s tricky platformer/shooter Cuphead. Perhaps Galaxi Taxi and Mouse’s unusual art styles will help them stand out in the crowd.
Mouse is scheduled to be released in 2025 for PC (Steam) with plans for console versions (Switch/PlayStation/Xbox).
Galaxi Taxi is also scheduled to be released for PC (Steam) and consoles (Switch/PlayStation/Xbox), release date TBA.
