The Boy, the Hat, and Thirty Years of Magic: Simon the Sorcerer: Origins Review
It has been thirty years since I first stepped into the magical chaos of Simon the Sorcerer on my beloved Amiga 500, and I still remember the excitement of those early point and click adventures that defined an era. Games like Monkey Island, Indiana Jones, Day of the Tentacle, Discworld and countless others shaped how many of us learned to solve puzzles, experiment with bizarre item combinations and enjoy quirky storytelling. Simon arrived at the tail end of the text command era, borrowing from the SCUMM innovations that made controls smoother while keeping the charm of that golden age intact.
Now in 2024 we return to Simon’s world through a fully reimagined prequel, rebuilt with gorgeous HD art, orchestral music and a streamlined interface aimed at both nostalgic fans and newcomers. And a strange obsession with Rick Astely? I played this new version on Steam PC using a controller and it felt like a surprisingly natural way to return to a world I have known since childhood.
Same Simon, New shiny graphics
What Is It
Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is an officially licensed prequel set just a few weeks before the events of the original 1993 classic. It explores the backstory the mischievous eleven year old Simon in a time when Walkman's graced our ears and Rick Astley blasted on our stereos. He begrudgingly is unpacking his stuff in a new hours when he ends up being yanked into a magical world full of wizards, swamplings, sinister professors and sarcastic commentary. The developers are clearly big fans of the series and they worked with the original creators to craft a proper narrative setup that blends humor, heartfelt moments and genuine lore. The game positions itself as a modern entry that respects the legacy of a cult classic without requiring players to know the series history.
Origins blends classic puzzle solving with modern conveniences designed to streamline the flow of an adventure game. his entry introduces updated controls, full voice acting in several languages, a brand new inventory system and accessibility options that allow players to customize visuals, text and interaction methods across multiple platforms. It keeps the traditional point and click format while adding spells, collectible hats and interactive tools that meaningfully expand puzzle solving variety.
You move between over fifty hand drawn environments, examine items, talk to NPCs and collect a steady stream of tools, magical hats and elemental spells. Inventory management is kept simple, though seasoned fans will immediately recognize the familiar dance of combining items, trying unusual interactions and using deductive reasoning to unlock progress. A quick press of the tab key reveals all interactive elements in a scene, which is extremely useful for avoiding the pixel hunting common in older titles. Thankfully it is optional because the updated HD environments are clear enough that discovery feels natural without it.
The puzzles are thoughtfully structured with a wide mix of straightforward tasks and clever multi step sequences. I appreciated that most solutions made logical sense, avoiding the obscure moon logic that adventure games are often infamous for. However the game occasionally introduces timing based gates or hidden conditions where a solution only works after a specific story flag is triggered. This can lead to moments where you correctly guess a puzzle but must return later, which sometimes caused unnecessary backtracking or frustration.
Despite that, the variety of puzzles remains engaging from start to finish, covering everything from building makeshift tools to assembling a boat to brewing potions. The chapter structure keeps things tightly contained so it is impossible to get permanently stuck, encouraging experimentation without the fear of missing a key item early on. The team states gameplay to be around 10 hours , a little longer for more casual or new players. My personal playthrough lasted around 7 hours.
Presentation
Origins is visually striking with a hand drawn art style reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s animated films. The environments feel alive with moving details, expressive characters and charming animated flourishes. Returning locations like the Bloated Goat Inn and Swampling’s home look better than ever while new environments add depth to the magical world in ways the original could only hint at.
The game features over fifteen thousand hand drawn frames and a visual polish that demonstrates genuine passion for the material. The soundtrack enhances the experience with a full orchestral score that draws from the original melodies while sounding bold and modern.
Hearing Chris Barrie return to voice Simon added a warm nostalgic touch even though the character is canonically much younger. The dialogue, environmental effects and playful sound cues all help create a cohesive fantasy world that feels familiar yet refreshed. Cutscenes are frequent and well produced, offering a cinematic layer that helps the story flow between chapters. Little details such as giant travel pins dropping into the environment or Simon’s commentary when interacting with oddities lend the game a playful meta energy that long time fans will appreciate.
Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is a family friendly adventure suitable for younger players and nostalgic adults alike. The game focuses on exploration, dialogue and puzzle solving with no graphic violence or mature themes. Children can learn problem solving skills by piecing together clues, combining items and using logic to advance the story. Reading is required and some puzzles may be challenging for younger players, but playing alongside a parent can turn it into a fun cooperative experience. The humor is clean, the tone is lighthearted and the magical world is inviting for a broad age range. It is a great starter adventure for kids who want to learn how to think critically through interactive storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is a refreshing return to a cult classic series that manages to honor the original while modernizing the experience for a new generation. It delivers a warm and charming adventure that respects its roots, brings back nostalgic characters and blends clever puzzle design with a clean interface and beautiful animation.
While I encountered minor frustrations with timing based puzzle triggers and the occasional double layered solution, the overall journey remained enjoyable and rewarding. The story ties neatly into the original game, offering fans a satisfying origin tale and newcomers a welcoming gateway into the world of point and click adventures. For me it was both a nostalgic homecoming and a pleasant surprise to see this genre still has plenty of room to shine. Simon the Sorcerer: Origins earns a thumbs up as a thoughtful revival that opens the door to new players while providing longtime fans a warm return to a familiar magical home.
Publisher: Leonardo Interactive
Available On: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, Linux. Steamdeck compatible
Platform Reviewed: Steam PC
Average Playtime: 5 to 10 hours
Suitable For: Ages 10 and up
Key provided by ININ/Presshound
DadGeek (Rob) is the co-founder of GeeksVsGeeks.He grew up during the golden era of point and click adventures and still believes Swampling Stew should never be eaten under any circumstances.
