Three decades after his debut, Simon the Sorcerer is back – or technically, not back, since this one’s an origin story. Yes, everyone’s favourite snarky apprentice returns to remind us what happens when you mix 90s nostalgia with modern design confusion. With the legendary Chris Barrie reprising his role, one might expect a charming romp through wizarding mischief. What we actually get is a beautifully animated, mildly torturous exercise in patience disguised as a point-and-click adventure.
Gaming Heaven
Let’s give credit where it’s due: the game looks fantastic. The environments are vibrant, the animation slick, and Barrie’s voice acting alone could probably charm a sentient brick. The writing is witty in that self-aware, British way that makes you smirk before realising you’ve been stuck on the same puzzle for 45 minutes. Fans of the original games will appreciate the Easter eggs and references, though newcomers will just assume half the jokes are written in code.
Gaming Hell
The problem is, Simon the Sorcerer Origins seems convinced that frustration equals fun. The puzzles veer between insultingly simple and so obscure they’d stump Einstein on his lunch break. You’ll spend hours trudging between screens, desperately combining random inventory items in the hope something – anything – will happen. The lack of a hint system feels less like a design decision and more like punishment for daring to play. One puzzle even expects you to realise a cuttlefish is full of ink. Naturally, the game never tells you this, because why would it?
Final Judgement
Simon the Sorcerer Origins is gorgeous, funny, and utterly maddening. It’s like being handed a beautiful spellbook – written entirely in riddles. If you’ve the patience of a saint and nostalgia to spare, you might just love it. Everyone else should probably cast Exit Game.
