There is something special about those old adventures that made us click on everything that moves — even on things that don't move, just to hear some sarcastic remark from the main character. Simon the Sorcerer was just such a game — the British response to LucasArts' adventure dominance of the 90s. And now, three decades later, Simon is back. And with serious charm.
A Brief History of a Wizard
It all started in 1993, when Adventure Soft launched the first Simon the Sorcerer for Amiga and MS-DOS. It was a time when games were more puzzles than action, and humor and dialogue were the main tools for winning over the audience. Simon was a teenager with an oversized ego, a sarcastic tongue, and a wizard hat that always looked a bit silly on him. The game parodied Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, and half of the fantasy literature the authors could get their hands on. It was that British humor, supported by the voice of Chris Barrie (known from Red Dwarf and Tomb Raider), that turned Simon into a mini-icon of the adventure genre. Despite several sequels throughout the 90s and 2000s, the series slowly faded into time — until Smallthing Studios and ININ Games decided to revive it with a new chapter: Simon the Sorcerer Origins.
Return Under New Sorcery
The Italian studio Smallthing Studios does not hide its intentions: they want to bring back that feeling — click by click, dialogue by dialogue — but without the outdated frustrations that adventures once had.
Instead of pixelated graphics, Origins brings hand-drawn locations (not A.I. graphics!), fluid animation, and a visual style that looks like Disney and Monty Python drew a fantasy fairy tale together.
ININ Games, a publisher known for reviving retro classics, gives the game a platform for all systems: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and even Mac and Linux. So, no excuses — you can play it even on a toaster (probably).
Story: Before He Became "That Simon"
Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a prequel — so Simon is not yet “that” famous wizard.
He is an ordinary kid from our world, a bit lost, who accidentally opens a portal to a parallel universe full of magic, creatures, and people who think he knows what he’s doing (and he doesn’t).
The game explores his first steps into the world of magic, with a typical dose of cynicism and absurdity.
If you are a fan of the original, you will recognize the references, and if you are not — you will still get a good dose of humor, characters, and dialogue that sounds like it was written by someone who laughs at everything, including themselves.
Art Style and Tone
Rarely does an adventure look this warm today. Hand-drawn backgrounds exude detail, the colors are rich, and the animations are soft — as if you are watching a living illustration from a picture book for adult geeks.
Characters have expressive gestures, and every location breathes — from magical towers to pubs where dwarves drink beer and discuss beverage taxes.
The soundscape is equally enchanting: the original soundtrack balances between fantasy and satire, and the return of Chris Barrie as the voice of Simon adds an authenticity that cannot be faked. If you have ever appreciated British humor, you will enjoy every conversation. Simon can't stop — sarcasm is his weapon, irony his shield, and patience… well, it doesn't exist. The characters you meet sound like they jumped out of Terry Pratchett's Discworld: caricatured, yet strangely real. Particularly amusing: the game occasionally pokes fun at modern trends — like open world mania, microtransactions, and “cinematic” games, and refers to side characters as “NPCs.” Simon comments on this as a player who accidentally found himself in a game — and that might be the greatest charm of the entire experience.
Gameplay: classic, but not outdated
This is a point-and-click adventure in its purest form. You click on an object, use it, combine it, engage in dialogues — all with an intuitive, modern interface. No more “pixel hunting” like in the 90s: the game clearly shows what you can click on, but still challenges you to think. By clicking a button, you also get a display of all items that can be interacted with.
There are also modern additions:
- A journal that automatically tracks progress
- Quick travel between locations in the form of “pins on the map”
- A smart interface that doesn't complicate interactions
Fortunately, the puzzles are still “the real deal” — quirky enough to make you laugh, but logical enough to solve without seeking help online, provided you have enough gaming time (unless you get stuck… and you will get stuck).
Conclusion – the magic of nostalgia, but with soul
Simon the Sorcerer Origins is not just another “retro return.” This is a love letter to old adventures, but written with a modern pen. It retains the soul of the original, refreshes the presentation, and proves once again that you don't need a million-dollar budget to have a game with personality. For people who grew up on Monkey Island and Beneath a Steel Sky, this is like coming home.
And for new players? Perhaps the first step into a world of games that don't require reflexes — but rather patience, humor, and a bit of goodwill to click on everything until you find the magic.
Release date and platforms
- Release: October 28, 2025.
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Edition: Standard and Deluxe (artbook + soundtrack)
- Bonus DLC: “PONY” pack with additional music themes
The requirements are minimal — it will practically run on a laptop that survived student days.
That only adds to the charm: the game doesn’t try to be a blockbuster, but an adventure that takes you back to a time when humor was more important than ray tracing.
A copy of the PC version of the game was provided for review purposes by the publisher ININ Games.
