Simon the Sorcerer is a 1993 point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Adventure Soft. While originally released for Amiga and DOS, the game’s cult following resulted in later releases on Windows, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.
Upon its release, Simon the Sorcerer was met with critical acclaim, with particular praise reserved for its sense of humor and strong visual style. Despite this, the linearity of the entire game came in for some criticism. Its lifetime sales had surpassed 600,000 by the turn of the century, making Simon the Sorcerer a hit.
Simon the Sorcerer Premise
©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer
In Simon the Sorcerer, the gameplay loop is pretty simple. Using your mouse (or touch controls on mobile), you’ll move protagonist Simon around a series of different environments, interacting with characters and items through a series of commands. Simon can look at items, pick them up, or consume them. He can talk to NPCs, giving them items from his inventory to get what he wants. Through dialogue, it’s your job to figure out what they need so that you can progress through the game.
Most of the progression involves speaking to other characters or completing puzzles by combining items that you find around the world and finding their correct purpose. This can be giving it to another character, or using it to fix or alter some part of the game’s world. With dialogue at the heart of the game, Simon the Sorcerer puts a big emphasis on humor to ensure that players are never bored while speaking to NPCs.
Interestingly, unlike many other similar games, Simon the Sorcerer avoids the use of a combat system. Instead, you talk your way out of every situation, which is a far more interesting approach in our view.
Simon the Sorcerer Main Characters
©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer
As a game that uses humor as its most effective hook, Simon the Sorcerer features a wide variety of weird and wonderful characters. Over the course of the game, Simon must interact with each and every one to successfully complete his adventure.
Simon the Sorcerer parodies many popular fantasy franchises such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. Because of this, you may recognize some references along with the way, with plenty of characters in the game designed around these parodies.
Here are the main characters throughout the plot of Simon the Sorcerer:
- Simon: After accidentally reading a spell in an ancient spellbook, 12-year-old Simon is transported to another world, where he must become a wizard and save the world, navigating a quirky cast of characters along the way.
- Calypso: Calypso is a wizard who has been kidnapped by Sordid. He brings Simon into his world to save it from Sordid.
- Sordid: Sordid is an evil sorcerer who intends to take over the world. Residing in the Fiery Pits of Rondor, his plot is threatened by the arrival of Simon.
Simon the Sorcerer Titles in the Series
©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer
As with many games that rely heavily upon a strong sense of humor to engage players, Simon the Sorcerer quickly gained a cult following. Sequels and spin-offs followed pretty regularly for just over 15 years until the series’ popularity dwindled, and it no longer became worth the effort for developers and publishers.
A sixth mainline game in the series was planned as recently as 2014, although this was eventually canceled due to a lack of concrete funding. Fans of the series can rejoice, though. In 2024, Simon the Sorcerer Origins is slated for release from Smallthing Studios, promising a return to form for gaming’s most sarcastic wizard. Let’s hope it lives up to the series’ classic formula.
- Simon the Sorcerer (1993)
- Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe (1995)
- Simon the Sorcerer’s Pinball (1998)
- Simon the Sorcerer’s Puzzle Pack (1998)
- Simon the Sorcerer 3D (2002)
- Simon the Sorcerer 4: Chaos Happens (2007)
- Simon the Sorcerer: Who’d Even Want Contact (2009)
Simon the Sorcerer Cheat Codes
©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer
Unfortunately, there are absolutely no cheat codes in Simon the Sorcerer. There aren’t even any mods that you can use to change the game instead!
Don’t worry though – we can still help you out. Collecting items throughout Simon the Sorcerer is important to progression, and some can be quite difficult to locate. In the absence of cheats, we’ve put together a guide to every single item in Simon the Sorcerer, so you’re never left searching for too long!
Simon the Sorcerer Item Guide
| Item | Item Location and Use |
|---|---|
| Axe Head | Can be obtained by giving the Milrith Ore to the village blacksmith. The Axe Head can then be given to the woodcutter in the forest. |
| Beans | Obtain by using the Buck of Water on the beans in the forest. You can then use these beans on the patch of compost located in the village, behind the cottage. |
| Beard | Inside the pub in the village, use the Scissors on the dwarf who is sleeping. You can wear the Beard before you enter the Dwarf Mine. |
| Beer | First, use wax on the beer barrel in the pub. Then head outside and you can find the beer. Give this to the dwarf in the Dwarf Mine. |
| Beer Voucher | First, use wax on the beer barrel in the pub. Inside the pub, you can then find the beer voucher. Give this to the dwarf in the Dwarf Mine. |
| Book | This can be picked up on the cushion in the Tower of Doom. You can read this. |
| Book | You can find the second book on the bookshelf at the very top of the Tower of Doom. You can read this. |
| Branch | The Branch can be grabbed from the tree in the Tower of Doom’s garden. Used to unlock the chest inside the Tower of Doom. |
| Brochures | Speak to the attendant in the Fiery Pits of Rondor to receive the Brochures. Can be read to receive the Elastic Band. |
| Broom | Obtain the Broom after winning the duel in the Witch’s Cottage. |
| Bucket | You’ll obtain this after using the Bucket of Water on the beans in the forest. This has no use. |
| Bucket | The second bucket can be picked up inside the Goblin Cave. Can be used on the druid inside the Goblin Cave. |
| Bucket of Water | You can pick up the Bucket of Water by using the handle on the well outside of the Witch’s Cottage. This can later be used on the beans in the forest. |
| Calypso’s Note | Found at the start of the game. Has no practical use, but can be read. |
| Candles | Can be picked up on the block in the Tower of Doom. Use the Candles on the magic square inside the demon room. |
| Catapult | Receive the Catapult by combining the Elastic Band with the Sapling. Use this item on the bell in the Fiery Pits of Rondor. |
| Chemicals | Picked up at the very top of the Tower of Doom. It’s main purpose is to be combined with the Shield. |
| Chest | On the right side of the bridge in the Tower of Doom, you can find the Chest. Use it on the block inside the Tower of Doom. |
| Clapper | Head to the blacksmith in the village – the Clapper can be found on the table next to him. Use this on the bell outside the castle. |
| Climbing Pin | Pick this up inside the woodcutter’s house, and use it on the hole at the bottom of the cliff near the Dragon’s Cave. |
| Cold Remedy | Grab the Cold Remedy in the house in the village. Its main use is on the dragon in the Dragon’s Cave. |
| Elastic Band | Found by reading the Brochures. Combine this with the Sapling to receive the Catapult. |
| Feather | You can receive the Feather by speaking to the Wise Owl in the forest, and can be used on the dwarf in the Dwarf Mine. |
| Fire Extinguisher | Pick up the Fire Extinguisher in the Dragon’s Cave, then use it on the fireplace in the woodcutter’s house. |
| Flaming Brand | The Flaming Brand is in the Goblin Cave, and used on the druid in the same location. |
| Floor Wax | In the Fiery Pits of Rondor, on the right side of the bridge. Use the Floor Wax on Sordid. |
| Fossil | Give the rock to the village blacksmith to receive the Fossil. Use it on the hole in the forest. |
| Frogsbane | Underneath the swampling’s house, the Frogsbane can be found on top of the skull. Give it to the frog inside the house in the village. |
| Gem | After giving the dwarf in the Dwarf Mine the Beer Voucher, speak to him about gems to receive the Gem. It can later be given to the Dodgy Geezer. |
| Gold Coins | Give the Gem to the Dodgy Geezer. Use the Gold Coins to later purchase the Hammer, Nail, and White Spirit from the village store. |
| Hacksaw | You receive the Hacksaw after hiding in the Goblin Cave. You can use this on the bars in the Golbin Cave to escape. |
| Hair | Hair is obtained after entering the Tower of Doom. Can be used on the tap in the Tower of Doom’s garden. |
| Hammer | You can buy the Hammer from the village store. Use it on the plank underneath the swampling’s house. |
| Hat | You can find the Hat inside the house with the chocolate truffle door. It has no practical use. |
| Hook | Grab the Hook inside the Dwarf Mine. |
| Key | You’re given the Key when using the Feather on the dwarf in the Dwarf Mine. You can use it to unlock the gold door in the same location. |
| Key | After unlocking the door with the Rat Bone in the Goblin Cave, the second Key is found by picking up the Paper again. Use this Key on the locked door in the Goblin Cave. |
| Ladder | The Ladder is located outside the main house in the village. Later, you’ll use it to fill the hole in the castle’s floorboards. |
| Leaf | Pick the Leaf up in the Tower of Doom’s garden, then use it on the Matchstick. |
| Magic Wand | You can grab the Magic Wand in front of the mirror in the Tower of Doom. Use it on Sordid while in the Fiery Pits of Rondor. |
| Magnet | Located in the fridge inside the village cottage. Use this with the Rope. |
| Mahogany | Head down to the basement of the woodcutter’s house to find Mahogany. Later on, give the item to the woodworm in the forest. |
| Map | The Map is given to you at the start of the game, and can be used to travel to different locations around the world. |
| Matches | Take a look on top of the fruit machine in the pub. The Matches can be found there, although they have no in-game use. |
| Matchstick | Use the bucket in the Tower of Doom’s garden to receive the Matchstick. Later on, you can use this on the lily leaf. |
| Metal Detector | The Metal Detector is given to you by the woodcutter in the forest. It can later be used while in the snowy area, where the wizard statue is located. |
| Milrith Ore | Use the Metal Detector in the snowy area to find the Milrith Ore. Hand this over to the village blacksmith to get the Axe Head. |
| Mints | You can find the Mints inside the Goblin Cave. These should be used at the top of the cliff to melt the snowman. |
| Mouse | Use the Pouch on the hole in the Tower of Doom’s steps. There is no use for the Mouse. |
| Mushroom | You can grab the Mushroom in the Tower of Doom’s garden. It can be eaten. |
| Nail | Buy this in the village store, and it will be used when you use the Hammer on the plank underneath the swampling’s house. |
| Oil | Oil is made by combining Seeds with the Stone. Use this on tap, in the Tower of Doom’s garden. |
| Paper | You receive Paper when opening the Spell Book inside the Goblin Cave. It is used on the door alongside the Rat Bone. |
| Pebble | The Pebble can be grabbed from the Fiery Pits of Rondor. After using the Catapult on the Bell, the Pebble will be used automatically. |
| Placard | The Placard is located on the Troll Bridge, any time after the troll falls into the water. It has no practical use. |
| Postcard | You have the Postcard from the start of the game. It is one of the most useful items in Simon the Sorcerer, being used to save, load, and quit the game. |
| Potion | You receive the Potion by handing the frog in the main village house the Frogsbane. After crossing the Tower of Doom’s bridge, the potion is automatically drank. |
| Pouch | Pick this up from the bed in the Tower of Doom, and combine it with the Sock. You can later use this to catch the Mouse. |
| Rat Bone | The Rat Bone can be picked up in the Goblin Cave. Use this on the lock on the door. |
| Repulser | Speak to the woman inside the castle to receive the Repulser. Use it on the chocolate truffle door in the village. |
| Ring | Hand the swamp stew to Golum at the crossroads. You’ll wear this when entering the Goblin Cave. |
| Rock | The first Rock is picked up outside the Dwarf Mine. Use it to receive the password to enter the Dwarf Mine. |
| Rock | You can find the second Rock northeast of the Dragon’s Cave. Hand this to the village blacksmith to receive the Fossil. |
| Rope | The Rope can be picked up from the floor, near the village blacksmith. This should later be combined with the Magnet to create the Rope & Magnet. |
| Rope & Magnet | Combine the Rope and Magnet individual items together, then use them on the hole above the Dragon’s Cave later in the game. |
| Sapling | You can pick up the Sapling in the Fiery Pits of Rondor, combining with the Elastic Band to receive the Catapult. |
| Scissors | Inside the village cottage, there is a desk drawer. Open it to find the scissors. You can use these to get the Beard from the sleeping dwarf in the pub. |
| Seeds | Pick the Seeds up from the Tower of Doom’s garden. Should be combined with the Stone later in the game to create Oil. |
| Shield | The Shield is found in the Chest room in the Tower of Doom. Use this with Chemicals, then use it on the hook at the top of the Tower of Doom. |
| Shopping List | Picked up from the floor, northwest of the Dwarf Mine. Can be handed to the shopkeeper of the village store. |
| Skull | Use the Spear on the skull found in the Tower of Doom. The Skull has no use. |
| Smokebox | Head inside the house with the chocolate truffle door in the village. Outside the same house, use the Smokebox on the beehive. |
| Sock | You can grab the Sock on the floor of the Tower of Doom. Combine it with the Pouch. |
| Sousaphone | Give the Watermelon to the man playing the Sousaphone northwest of the Troll Bridge. You can use this for yourself when approaching the sleeping giant. |
| Souvenir Matches | Pick up the Souvenir Matches from the counter in the Fiery Pits of Rondor, then use it on the pits. |
| Spear | The Spear can be found in the chest room in the Tower of Doom. Later used to get the Skull. |
| Specimen Jar | In the main house in the village, you can find the Specimen Jar. You’ll need this to use on the stew while in the swampling’s house. |
| Spell Book | Search the boxes in the Goblin Cave. Open it to find Paper. |
| Staff | Use the bandage on the mummy in the basement of the castle to receive the Staff. Hand this to the wizard in the pub later. |
| Stone | Picked up in the Tower of Doom’s garden. Combined with Seeds to receive Oil. |
| Tadpole | The Tadpole can be found by looking in the pool in the Tower of Doom’s garden. It has no use. |
| Watermelon | Use the beans on the spot of compost behind the village cottage. The Watermelon is later used on the Sousaphone near the Troll Bridge. |
| Wedge | Open the tomb inside the castle to receive the Wedge, although it has no use. |
| Whistle | Rip the thorn from the barbarian’s foot to get the Whistle. It’s main use comes after speaking to the troll at the Troll Bridge for the first time. |
| White Spirit | You can buy the White Spirit from the village store alongside the Nail and the Hammer. It can be used on the pink splodge on the tree outside of the Dragon’s Cave. |
| Wizkid Wallet | Obtain the Wizkid Wallet by giving the Staff and Gold Coins to the wizard in the pub. It has no use. |
| Woodworm | Hand the Mahogany to the woodworm in the forest. Later on, use it on the castle’s floorboards. |
Simon the Sorcerer Cheat Code FAQs
©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer
Does Simon the Sorcerer Have Achievements?
No. Despite a re-release on Steam, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store, no achievements were ever retroactively added to Simon the Sorcerer.
How Many Items Are There in Simon the Sorcerer?
In total, there are 87 items to find in Simon the Sorcerer, some more useful than others. Follow our guide above and see if you can find them all!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot from Simon the Sorcerer.