The beloved 90s point-and-click adventure series is getting a second chance at life. Smallthing Studios revealed during a special event covered by IGN Italia that a full remake of the original 1993 Simon the Sorcerer is coming in 2026. This announcement comes just days after the studio launched Simon the Sorcerer Origins, a prequel to the classic adventure game that hit stores on October 28, 2025.
Complete Visual Overhaul Coming
According to IGN Italia’s interview with Smallthing Studios founder Massimiliano Calamai, the remake will be a complete reimagining of the 1993 original with brand new graphics. The project aims to introduce the classic adventure to modern players who never experienced the MS-DOS era charm of the original release while satisfying longtime fans who want to revisit Simon’s first magical adventure with contemporary visuals.
The timing makes sense considering Origins just launched to a lukewarm reception. While the prequel captured the visual style of 90s Saturday morning cartoons with hand-drawn graphics, critics noted issues with puzzle design, voice acting quality, and technical problems like music that required reactivation when moving between locations. Smallthing Studios appears to be hedging their bets by going back to the source material that made fans fall in love with Simon in the first place.
What Made the Original Special
- Released in 1993 for Amiga and PC by UK studio Adventure Soft
- Featured quintessentially British humor and sarcastic protagonist
- Chris Barrie from Red Dwarf voiced Simon in the CD version
- Inspired by LucasArts adventures but with unique UK sensibility
- Featured challenging puzzles and memorable fantasy world setting
- Spawned multiple sequels though none matched the original’s quality
Mike Woodroffe Gives Blessing
Mike Woodroffe, creator of the Simon the Sorcerer saga and founder of Adventure Soft, attended the Smallthing Studios event and expressed great enthusiasm for how the Italian team has handled his creation. His endorsement carries significant weight considering how protective creators can be about beloved franchises. The fact that he’s publicly supporting both Origins and the upcoming remake suggests Smallthing Studios understands the spirit of the original games.
Adventure Soft provided blessing and advice throughout Origins development, with Woodroffe consulting on story elements and character portrayals. That same partnership will presumably continue for the remake, ensuring authenticity while modernizing the experience for 2026 audiences who expect quality of life improvements that didn’t exist in 1993.
Origins Reception Mixed
The prequel that just launched has received polarized feedback from players and critics. Eurogamer’s review called it decidedly naff while acknowledging the pretty visuals and nostalgic appeal. Reddit users have complained about puzzles that can’t be solved without exhausting specific dialogue trees even when solutions seem obvious. The nostalgic DLC music requiring constant reactivation frustrated players trying to enjoy the retro soundtrack.
Nintendo Life was more positive in their review, calling it a lovely touch of late 80s and early 90s nostalgia that successfully captures the spirit of the original series. The hand-drawn art style earned consistent praise even from critics who found the gameplay lacking. Voice acting returned as a sticking point, with some fans disappointed that even Chris Barrie’s return couldn’t elevate mediocre writing and questionable direction.
| Aspect | Origins (2025) | Remake (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Original prequel story | 1993 classic story faithfully adapted |
| Graphics | Hand-drawn Saturday morning cartoon style | Completely revamped modern graphics |
| Puzzles | New puzzles with mixed execution | Classic puzzles potentially refined |
| Voice Acting | Chris Barrie returns with new cast | Likely Chris Barrie with rerecorded lines |
Three Additional Projects Revealed
The Simon the Sorcerer remake wasn’t the only announcement at Smallthing Studios’ event. The Italian developer unveiled three completely original projects showing their ambition to become a major player in narrative gaming beyond just reviving Adventure Soft properties.
Sword of Sodan 2 serves as a sequel to the 1988 Amiga action classic, bringing sword-swinging combat back for modern audiences. Where the River Dies is described as an emotional narrative adventure with strong storytelling focus. Most intriguing is 14:18, a psychological horror game set in medieval Italy and inspired by a passage from the Bible. That diverse lineup demonstrates Smallthing Studios wants to establish their own identity rather than just riding nostalgia.
Will Rick Astley Return
One of Origins’ most surprising features was the involvement of 80s music icon Rick Astley in a special role. The Never Gonna Give You Up singer brought soul to the fantasy adventure in ways nobody expected. Whether Astley returns for the remake remains unknown, though his inclusion in Origins suggests Smallthing Studios values celebrity collaborations that generate buzz.
The original 1993 game obviously didn’t feature Rick Astley, so his potential involvement would represent a departure from faithful recreation. However, if the remake adds new content or expands existing scenes, there’s room for celebrity cameos that enhance rather than distract from the core experience.
Physical and Digital Editions
Origins launched with both standard digital releases and Limited Special Editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC through ININ Games. The special edition included an artbook, the Pony DLC, and the full soundtrack. Publisher ININ Games specializes in retro and indie titles, making them the perfect partner for Adventure Soft revivals.
No pricing or edition details have been announced for the 2026 remake yet. Given Origins’ special edition treatment, it’s reasonable to expect similar offerings for the remake with concept art, behind the scenes materials, and potentially comparison screenshots showing 1993 graphics versus 2026 visuals side by side.
Steam Deck Compatibility Confirmed
Point and click adventures work beautifully on Steam Deck, and Smallthing Studios ensured Origins supported Valve’s handheld from day one. The remake will almost certainly continue that tradition, letting players experience Simon’s sarcastic magic on the go. The original game ran on systems exponentially less powerful than modern handhelds, so performance shouldn’t be an issue even with completely revamped graphics.
Cross-platform releases spanning Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Mac, and Linux demonstrate Smallthing Studios’ commitment to reaching the broadest possible audience. Adventure game fans exist across every platform, and the studio wisely isn’t limiting themselves to any single ecosystem.
Development Timeline Questions
Smallthing Studios working on the remake alongside Origins raises questions about development resources and priorities. Did the studio split into two teams handling separate projects? Or did they complete most of Origins years ago and shift resources to the remake during final polish? The compressed timeline between Origins launch and the announced 2026 remake suggests significant work has already been completed.
Remaking an existing game theoretically requires less creative heavy lifting than building a prequel from scratch. The story, puzzles, locations, and character arcs already exist in the 1993 original. Smallthing Studios’ task becomes translating that framework into modern visuals and controls while preserving what made it special. That’s still challenging but potentially faster than creating entirely new content.
FAQs
When was the Simon the Sorcerer remake announced?
Smallthing Studios announced the remake on October 27, 2025, during a special event covered by IGN Italia. The remake is scheduled for release sometime in 2026.
Is this a remake or a remaster?
This is a complete remake with entirely revamped graphics rather than a simple remaster. IGN Italia describes it as a complete reimagining of the 1993 original.
Will Chris Barrie voice Simon again?
While not officially confirmed, Chris Barrie returned to voice Simon in Origins after 30+ years, so his involvement in the remake seems likely given his enthusiasm for the project.
What platforms will the remake release on?
Platform details haven’t been announced yet, but Origins launched on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck, so expect similar coverage.
How is the remake different from Origins?
Origins is an original prequel story set before the 1993 game. The remake will retell the classic 1993 adventure with modern graphics while preserving the original story and puzzles.
Who is developing the Simon the Sorcerer remake?
Italian studio Smallthing Studios is developing the remake with the blessing and collaboration of Adventure Soft founder Mike Woodroffe, who created the original series.
How much will the remake cost?
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet. For reference, Origins launched at standard indie adventure game pricing with special editions available at premium prices.
Conclusion
The announcement of a Simon the Sorcerer remake for 2026 gives fans hope that Smallthing Studios learned from Origins’ mixed reception and can deliver the definitive modern version of the 1993 classic that players deserve. By going back to the source material that made the series beloved in the first place, the Italian studio has an opportunity to introduce a new generation to Simon’s sarcastic charm while satisfying veterans who’ve been waiting three decades for a proper remake. Whether they can execute on that promise remains to be seen, but with Mike Woodroffe’s blessing, Chris Barrie likely returning to voice Simon, and lessons learned from Origins’ stumbles, the pieces are in place for something special. Adventure game fans will be watching closely as 2026 approaches to see if Smallthing Studios can successfully resurrect one of the 90s’ most treasured point and click adventures.