This not quite true, especially with current state-of-the-art tools like Ghidra, IDA pro (with Hex-rays), etc.
In fact, Rolf Rolles wrote a wonderful guest post[1] for the Hex-Rays blog about automating the reversal of this exact obfusactor, though he wasnt aware of it's origins at the time.
[1]: https://www.hex-rays.com/blog/hex-rays-microcode-api-vs-obfu...