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Simon the Sorcerer Origins – A Hand-Drawn Return to Classic Adventure

EPIC | Steam | Switch | Playstation | Xbox

Shout out to the team at Smallthing Studios and ININ for providing a copy of this game for me to check out. Before diving into my thoughts on Simon the Sorcerer Origins, let’s rewind a bit to bring you up to speed on the franchise and why this new release carries the subtitle Origins.

🧙 Who is Simon the Sorcerer? 

Back in 1993, the very first Simon the Sorcerer game introduced players to a sarcastic, teenage wizard who stumbled into a magical world full of puzzles, humor, and eccentric characters. While the series became a cult classic in the UK—spanning eight games (that include spinoffs)—many players in the States never crossed paths with Simon.

That’s where Origins comes in. Released on October 27, 2025, this vibrant entry takes place just weeks before the events of the original 1993 adventure, serving as both a prequel and a fresh + entertainment entry point for new audiences. For me, this was my very first time stepping into Simon’s shoes, and I can see why the franchise has endured for three decades.


🎨 First Impressions: Hand-Drawn Charm 

What immediately caught my eye was the hand-drawn animation style. As an artist, I always appreciate when developers take the time to craft visuals that feel alive and personal. The game’s look is a refreshing change of pace in today’s market, and it pairs beautifully with the point-and-click puzzle adventure format.

Playing on Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch will feel natural, especially with touchscreen support. The humor is sharp and sarcastic—true to the series’ roots—but I do wonder if younger players (10 and up) will catch all the jokes and punchlines throughout your adventure.


🎮 Gameplay: Puzzles, Patience, and Payoff 

In my first 30 minutes of gameplay, I quickly realized that Origins is unapologetically a point-and-click adventure. That means:

  • Puzzle-solving is the core mechanic. You’ll need to think creatively, combine items, and pay attention to dialogue to progress.

  • Patience is rewarded. Unlike fast-paced action games, this genre teaches players to slow down, observe, and problem-solve. For parents, that’s an underrated perk—kids can build patience and critical thinking while still having fun.

  • The payoff feels earned. Solving a tricky puzzle and unlocking the next step in Simon’s journey delivers a genuine sense of accomplishment.

The story sets you against the villainous Sordid, whose sinister ambitions you’ll work to foil—all while enjoying the game’s witty banter and gorgeous art.


🕹️ Accessibility and Play Options 

Whether you prefer touchscreen, keyboard and mouse, or controller, the game adapts well. If you’ve never played a point-and-click before, the pacing may feel slower than other genres, but if you enjoy games that challenge your inner detective, Origins is a great entry point.

💰 Price and Value 

At $24.99, this is a solid pickup for fans of narrative-driven adventures or anyone curious about the genre.

  • Nostalgia - The intro alone feels like a time capsule. Having original voice actor Chris Barrie return is a huge win for longtime fans.

  • Art Style - Hand-drawn animations shine, even if some backgrounds feel less fleshed out. The style intentionally nods to the past, which older fans will appreciate.

  • 33 Hidden Achievements - For achievement hunters, you will have to get your search on to nab these achievements because they're not easily presented to you.





👨‍👩‍👧 Passing the Torch 

To me, Origins feels like it’s designed for parents who grew up with Simon and now want to introduce their kids to a game from their childhood (in a new way that they'd also want to partake in). That’s not a bad thing—it’s a tried-and-true approach. Just keep in mind that the humor leans older, and the pacing may test younger players’ patience.

Still, if your kids enjoy movie franchises like Harry Potter and shows like The Investigators, and you want them to flex their problem-solving skills, Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a fun and affordable way to do so.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a lovingly crafted indie adventure that balances nostalgia with accessibility. It may not be for everyone, but for those willing to shift and embrace the puzzles, it’s a rewarding journey worth taking. There are a number of point-and-click games being made today, so there is an audience and one feather I can put into the wizard's cap of this game is that some don't allow you to use controllers.

Overall, I recommend giving different genres a whirl, because you never know what you’re missing out on—or the skills they can ultimately help you develop. I also believe it can work in the USA because more gamers from the States have watched enough content from the UK to understand more of the comedy. If you have children who enjoy shows like The Investigators, or you want to encourage them to think more critically and challenge themselves to figure things out (a great skill for life overall), then a game like Simon the Sorcerer Origins can help with that while delivering a solid experience at the same time without breaking the bank.


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 + Sophi 

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🎉 Amazon Luna Levels Up with “GameNight” — Family Fun Straight to Your Living Room

Amazon Luna has been steadily building its reputation as a cloud gaming service, but its latest move feels like a game-changer—literally. With the launch of its new “GameNight” lineup, Luna is leaning into the living room experience in a way that screams Family Game Night. And the best part? It’s included with your Prime membership!

This isn’t just about streaming traditional games to your TV. It’s about creating a new kind of social play—one that blends smartphones, smart TVs, and a lineup of quirky, creative titles designed to get everyone laughing, competing, and connecting.



The headline grabber here is Courtroom Chaos, developed by Death Row Games and published by Amazon Game Studios. Yes, you read that right—Snoop Dogg is front and center in a party game that turns your living room into a courtroom.

• Up to 6 players take on roles as plaintiffs, defendants, and even witnesses.
• You argue fake cases using your voice, speaking directly into your phone.
• Generative AI helps “AI Snoop” deliver verdicts, keeping the chaos unpredictable and hilarious.
• The game is free-to-play with 10 daily cases (refreshed at 12AM UTC). Want more? You can purchase additional cases.

It’s a clever mix of improv, courtroom drama, and Snoop’s signature flair—perfect for fans of courtroom TV shows or anyone who loves a good laugh.


 🐦 Angry Birds Flock Party 

The iconic birds are back, but this time they’re bringing the whole flock to your living room.

• Up to 4 players team up to topple piggy-built structures.

• Over 400 levels of slingshot chaos.

• Your phone becomes the slingshot—aim, pull back, and fire.

It’s a familiar formula, but the party twist makes it fresh and endlessly replayable.




 ✏️ Draw & Guess 

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Draw & Guess is exactly what it sounds like, but with the scale turned up.

• Supports up to 16 players.

• One person draws, the rest guess.

• The results? Usually hilarious, sometimes surprisingly artistic.

This one feels like a guaranteed hit for larger gatherings.





 🎮 More GameNight Titles to Explore 

GameNight isn’t just about a few headliners—it’s a full buffet of party-ready experiences. Here’s a taste of what’s included:

• Tetris Effect Connected

• Flappy Golf Party

• Bonkies

• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

• Inverses

• Garfield Kart 2 – All You Can Drift

• Ultimate Chicken Horse

• Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

• Exploding Kittens 2

• Ticket to Ride

• Clue

• Scattergories Weekly

• Taboo – Official Party Game

• Bullship!

• Big Helmet Heroes

• Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader

• Dunk Dunk

•  and More!

From trivia to chaos-driven platformers, there’s something for every type of player.


 🏆 Badges & Rewards 

GameNight also adds a layer of achievement with badges. There are currently 17 to unlock, including:

• First Launch: Play your first GameNight game.

• Pumpkin Posse: Get spooky and play three party games.

It’s a small touch, but it adds that extra incentive to keep the fun going.


 📱 How It Works 

Amazon has made the setup refreshingly simple:

  • Scan a QR code on your TV.
  • Your smartphone instantly becomes your controller.
  • Tablets are supported too, making it easy for everyone to join in.

As Amazon puts it:

“With simple and responsive touchscreen inputs and support for multiple local players, GameNight offers an easy and approachable way to play whether you’re an experienced gamer or a casual fan.”


 🎤 Why This Matters 

The launch of GameNight feels bigger than just a new feature. It’s a statement. By partnering with Snoop Dogg and Death Row Games, Amazon is opening doors for creators who might not have had access to the industry before. It’s also reimagining what cloud gaming can be—not just a solo experience, but a shared one.

As Jamil Ghani, VP of Worldwide Prime, put it:

“Prime members are going to love GameNight and the reimagined Luna.”

And honestly, he’s right. In a time when entertainment costs are climbing, GameNight offers a fresh, affordable way to bring people together.

If you’re looking for a reason to host a house party, this is it. Throw together a potluck, fire up Luna, and let GameNight turn your living room into the ultimate game hub.

Grab your family, call your friends, and get ready to argue fake cases, topple piggy towers, and laugh until your sides hurt. 


Is Amazon Luna taking the lead as the Family Game Night platform?

We believe so. As Blu, put it:

"You can't tell me that Amazon isn't positioning the Luna platform as the place to be for family fun gaming. The TV's right there, Amazon Prime already gives you multiple options, and having the ability to spend quality time together as a family + friends? Priceless! Especially at the top of the holiday season. Other platforms have multiplayer games, but how many people can say they have four controllers? At the same time... many of us have cellphones. You're probably reading this article right now from a phone (What's Up?!)... so to have the ability to simply use your cellphone to get in on the action is smart.

There are plenty of gamers representing console and PC gaming, there's no doubt about that... but you can't deny that there is a casual gamer market that swallows up the hardcore market. To put it simply: Casual > Hardcore, by Billions (according to Game Industry Statistics: Reports 2025). Some of these casual gamers are also hardcore gamers, that collectively make up the 3.4 billion gamers worldwide (as of 2025)... and I'm one of them, so the numbers don't lie. So Amazon is making a smart move bringing casual to the big screen... in a big way. We're here for it. I grew up gathering around the TV with friends and family to game, and that's one of the reasons we promote Family Fun Gaming. With the various challenges people are facing, it's good to have an option that can bring people together for some fun."



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Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: A Return to the World of Darkness

Epic | Steam | Console

The long-awaited sequel to the cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is finally here. Developed by The Chinese Room and published by Paradox Interactive, Bloodlines 2 brings players back into the World of Darkness, a setting where supernatural politics, personal horror, and moral choices collide in a modern gothic Seattle. The politics grabbed my interest outside of my climb to rule the night. It gives me a mafia vibe.

Before diving deeper, check out the first 30 minutes of pure gameplay below—no commentary, no distractions. This video gives you an unfiltered look at how the game begins, letting you decide if this immersive RPG is the right fit for you.





 A Legacy Reborn 

The original Bloodlines (2004) became a cult favorite thanks to its branching narrative, memorable characters, and the freedom it gave players to shape their vampiric journey. Bloodlines 2 builds on that foundation, powered by Unreal Engine 5 for a richer, more atmospheric experience. Players step into the role of Phyre, an elder vampire navigating the dangerous politics of Seattle’s undead society. This is my Phyre... and you can figure out your desired look before you set out to own the night!


Fun Fact: Speaking of Legacy... did you know that the video game franchise came from a table top board game?


 Clans and Choices 

At launch, players can choose from six clans—including fan favorites like Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, and Lasombra. Each clan offers unique disciplines and playstyles, from brute-force combat to subtle manipulation. These choices don’t just affect gameplay mechanics; they shape how NPCs react to you and how the story unfolds. I went with the Ventrue so that I can get an extra set of hands when needed.

Which bloodline will you represent? Choose wisely or... try them all. (Replay value up!)


 The City of Seattle 

Seattle serves as the backdrop for this tale of intrigue and survival. Its neon-lit streets, shadowy alleys, and corporate towers create a perfect stage for the Masquerade—the fragile pact that keeps vampire society hidden from humanity. The city is divided among factions, each vying for power, and players must decide who to ally with, betray, or outmaneuver.





 Gameplay Experience 

Bloodlines 2 blends action RPG combat with deep narrative role-playing. Players can expect:

• Dialogue-driven storytelling with branching paths.
• Exploration of richly detailed urban environments.
• Combat and stealth systems that adapt to your chosen clan powers.
• Moral dilemmas that test how far you’ll go to maintain the Masquerade.



Speaking of gameplay experiences... one I'm not too crazy about is following the blood scent for the most part. I get that they want us to figure things out in certain areas, but it can be annoying when you have to backtrack. It's helpful in terms of letting you know where you have to go, but to follow it fully can be annoying if you want to keep the stealth on full tilt.

There have been reports of bugs that I have yet to experience like NPC's disappearing, but... the development team is  actively working on patches based on known issues. Anything that's "high priority", they've tackled or they're currently tackling, while others they're knocking out as they move down the list.


 Developer Response 

• Acknowledged Issues – Paradox Interactive and The Chinese Room have confirmed these bugs and labeled some as “high priority.”
• Workarounds Provided – Temporary fixes include reloading earlier saves, adjusting graphics settings, or restarting the game to restore missing NPCs.
• Patches in Progress – The team has stated that multiple updates are planned to address stability, performance, and quest-related problems.

So don't crash out, patches are being sent to pounce on unsuspecting bugs.


 Expanding the Story 

Paradox confirmed post-launch Story Packs, including Loose Cannon and The Flower & The Flame, which expand on key characters and factions. This ensures that the narrative will continue to evolve. If you enjoy lurking through the night, progressing through the political world of darkness, and taking down your foes with supernatural powers... Bloodlines 2 just might be the game for you.



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 + Sophi 

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