Simon's Quest has a pretty bad reputation that it mostly deserves. The day/night transition is tedious. Traversal is left to luck and obtuse riddles. The bosses are hilariously easy.

However, playing with a guide, Simon's Quest can still be a good time. The normal combat is fun. The puzzles, in hindsight, are kind of clever. It's Castlevania light. This is prototype Metroidvania. Luckily, the series continued to improve this formula.