Welcome to the very first mission in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, where we step into the gumshoes of our favorite rodent detective. This introductory chapter, “Big Mouse, Little Hope,” serves as a tutorial, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. The city’s underbelly is already stirring, and you’ll need to learn the ropes quickly if you want to survive. This is where your journey begins, chasing a shadowy figure through the rain-slicked streets and learning what it takes to be a private investigator in this town.
Main Objectives
Your primary goal is simple, but the path is filled with thugs and tutorials. Here’s what you need to get done:
- Check out the posters to learn the basic controls.
- Chase after your mysterious target.
- Master the core mechanics: dash, jump, crouch, and the Detective Brush.
- Learn the art of tailpicking to crack open safes.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
You’ll start in a dark alley, with your target just ahead. Don’t worry about catching them just yet; the chase is on. Follow them through the brightly lit white doors, which indicate the correct path forward. Along the way, you’ll see posters on the walls. These aren’t just for decoration—they’re your tutorial! Take a moment to read them to learn the essential skills of dashing, using your magnifying glass for hints, and wielding the all-important Detective Brush.
Your brush is more than just a tool for dusting for prints; it reveals hidden footprints. Use it to follow your target’s trail up a set of stairs and a ladder. This section will also introduce you to jumping and crouching, which are vital for navigating the environment and dodging enemy attacks.
Soon enough, you’ll encounter your first taste of combat. It’s a single enemy, giving you a safe opportunity to practice with your trusty Micer pistol and your fists. After dealing with the goon, you’ll take an elevator up to find your first typewriter—these are your manual save points, so use them whenever you see one! Here, you’ll also find your first safe, which triggers a tutorial on tailpicking. It’s a simple mini-game, but it’s a skill you’ll use throughout your adventure to get your paws on valuable loot.
Continuing on, you’ll enter a customer service center teeming with more enemies. Use the environment to your advantage. A white cable leads from a switch to a set of double doors; flip that switch to proceed. This leads to a large banquet room where you’ll face multiple waves of enemies, including both melee thugs with bats and ranged attackers with guns. Stay moving, use cover, and don’t be afraid to kick boxes and barrels at them to conserve your precious ammo.
After clearing the room, the chase continues through collapsing corridors and more combat scenarios. Keep your wits about you and your trigger finger ready. Eventually, you’ll come to another elevator, but before you head down, a final chase sequence will kick off, bringing this prologue mission to a close.
Collectibles
Even in this tutorial level, there are secrets to be found. Keep your eyes peeled for these collectibles:
- Comic #1: In the banquet room, look for the bar. Behind it, you’ll find a vent with a cheese grate. Head through it to find your first comic.
- Comic #2: After the banquet room fight, you’ll be chasing your target towards an elevator. Before you follow them down, look for a set of stairs leading up. At the top, you’ll find the second comic.
- Schematic #1: Shortly after finding the second comic, you’ll come across a safe. This one is a bit trickier, with spikes on a timer. Crack it open to find the game’s first Schematic.
Boss Fights and Tough Encounters
There are no major boss fights in this prologue mission, but the combat encounters can still be tricky for a new detective. Here are a few tips to get you through:
- Use Cover: The stair banisters and other objects in the environment are great for blocking incoming fire from ranged enemies.
- Conserve Ammo: Your Micer is effective, but ammo can be scarce. Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with your Mitts, or better yet, kick objects like boxes and barrels at enemies for an easy takedown.
- Stay Mobile: Dashing is your best friend. Use it to dodge attacks and reposition yourself to get a better angle on the thugs.
And that’s a wrap on your first case! You’ve learned the basics and are ready to take on the mean streets. The real work starts now, detective.