As The Apprentice , you play as Marvin, a wizard's apprentice tasked with completing various challenges given by your master, Mr. Wandburner. The story takes place over six levels, each set in a different environment - land, sea, and air. To make your journey in the aquatic levels more manageable, the wizard transforms you into a frog. To soar through the skies, you don a special flying helmet. Each level introduces a new weapon to master, ranging from a magic wand to a water pistol or laser gun.
Gameplay revolves around navigating Marvin through each level, fighting enemies, collecting power-ups and completing objectives. The twist lies in switching between your normal form and the transformations granted by Mr. Wandburner, which affects gameplay significantly. Bonus rounds are scattered throughout levels, providing additional rewards for completing specific tasks or defeating certain bosses.