Is Simon There Horror Game Review: Walkthrough and Ending Explained

The Haunting Premise That Grips You

Imagine discovering your child's tragic death was your fault. "Is Simon There?" plunges players into this nightmare through a grieving father haunted by guilt and supernatural forces. After analyzing this intense playthrough, I believe this Polish indie horror by Stanislaw Truchowski masterfully weaponizes parental trauma to create visceral dread. The game's opening text crawl—"A few months have passed since the death of my son Simon"—immediately establishes the devastating emotional core that fuels its scares.

Why This Game Resonates

Unlike typical jump-scare fests, the horror stems from real human fragility. The protagonist's medication bottles and abandoned household items visually scream neglect, making the haunting feel deserved. During the playthrough, every phone call from Simon's school ("Is Simon there?") became increasingly sinister, demonstrating how mundane sounds transform into terror when layered with grief.

Gameplay Mechanics and Psychological Terror

Environmental Storytelling Done Right

Truchowski uses environmental details as narrative weapons:

• The impossible clock placement requiring a dining chair reveals the father's irrational mindset
• Medication on cutting boards implies self-destructive coping mechanisms
• Childish drawings beneath adult books show ignored warning signs

The streamer's authentic reactions—"Why were your studies in the very top and you got sinister reads on the bottom?"—highlight how environmental cues build unease before any apparitions appear.

Survival Mechanics With a Twist

You'll manage:

• Limited hiding spots (closets, behind furniture)
• Puzzle-solving under duress like aligning torn photos while entities approach
• Sound-based threats where headphones are essential as recommended by developer

Critical Tip: Lock doors twice. The streamer discovered—"I had to lock the door again y'all"—that single attempts often fail during invasions.

Narrative Depth and Multiple Endings

The Heartbreaking Truth

Through fragmented notes and ghostly visions, we learn Simon was killed by wolves while his father fetched water—a preventable tragedy. The streamer's realization—"That photo has haunted me ever since"—refers to the gut-wrenching collectible showing Simon seconds before death.

Three Endings Explored

1. Suicide Ending (shown): Father overdoses on pills amid hallucinations
2. Confrontation Ending: Unlock the storage room medallion early to face the entity
3. Escape Ending: Find all photo pieces before the final haunt

Developer Insight: Truchowski confirmed endings reflect grief stages—denial (escape), anger (confrontation), depression (suicide).

Actionable Horror Gameplay Checklist

1. Sound check: Wear headphones before launching—directional whispers are crucial
2. Light management: Conserve flashlight battery; darkness attracts entities
3. Photo priority: Collect torn pieces immediately—they unlock lore-critical endings
4. Door protocol: Double-lock all entries after 7pm in-game time
5. Pill timing: Take medications at exact intervals shown on kitchen clock

Why This Indie Horror Stands Out

Beyond jump scares, "Is Simon There?" forces players to sit with uncomfortable themes: parental failure, guilt as self-punishment, and the horror of "what if." The streamer noted—"this felt different"—because unlike supernatural foes, the real villain is regret. For similar emotional horror, try Devotion (mental health themes) or The Cat Lady (suicide allegories).

Final Thought: True horror isn't about monsters under the bed—it's the monsters we create through inaction. When you play, ask yourself: Which ending would your guilt choose? Share your predictions below before experiencing Simon's story firsthand.

Pro Tip: Play between 10PM-2AM for maximum atmospheric effect. Your nervous system will thank you for the adrenaline.