SAMSON Gameplay: A First Look at Physics-Based Combat & Vehicle Destruction

By Ryan Messina Gaming News
31 January 2026 no comments

Forget the parachutes and infinite grapples for a second. Christofer Sundberg, the mind that gave us the explosion-heavy chaos of Just Cause, is back with a new studio, Liquid Swords.

But his new project, SAMSON, isn’t about flying across massive islands. It’s grounded, gritty, and surprisingly focused. We finally got a look at the gameplay in a new developer diary. Frankly, it looks like the lovechild of Max Payne and Mad Max—if both were having a really bad day in the 90s.

A Fistfight, Not a Ballet

Most action games want you to feel like a superhero or a martial arts master. SAMSON wants you to feel desperate. According to Strati Zerbinis, the lead programmer, the protagonist isn’t a trained soldier. He’s just a “tough guy” trying to survive. The combat reflects that; it’s messy, improvised, and heavy on physics.

You aren’t performing perfect combos here. You’re getting surrounded, panicking, and grabbing whatever isn’t nailed down. The developers emphasized that the world is your weapon. You can pick up broken debris, knock enemies into walls, or drop heavy objects on them. It’s not about style; it’s about survival.

They’ve even limited the guns. Firearms are “too clean” and efficient for the vibe they want. They want you up close, sweating, and fighting dirty.

Heavy Metal and Bad Debts: The Mechanics

The driving isn’t just for getting from point A to point B. If you played the Mad Max game, you know that a car can be a weapon. SAMSON leans hard into this. Your car is your “Magnum Opus.” You use it to ram enemies, escape tight spots, or literally crush the opposition against a pole. The damage system sounds intense.

Alex Williams, a designer at Liquid Swords, explained that the cars are built of components—wheels, engines, tires—that all degrade independently. You feel every dent and blown tire in the handling.

This all ties into a stress-inducing campaign structure called “Dying to be Free.” You have a debt that grows daily. You have an Action Point system that limits what you can do each day.If you miss your daily quota, the interest spikes. It adds a layer of time management that makes every fender bender feel expensive.

Liquid Swords: The Smart Buy?

Here is where it gets interesting for your wallet. In an era of $70 games filled with 100 hours of filler, SAMSON is launching on PC first in early 2026 for just $24.99.

This price point suggests a tighter, more curated experience without the bloat. Liquid Swords seems to be betting on quality physics and systems over a massive, empty map.

For gamers tired of endless fetch quests, a focused, physics-driven open world at a budget price is a very attractive proposition.

Verdict: Is SAMSON Worth the Hype?

If you miss the era where physics engines were the star of the show (think GTA IV or Red Faction), this is one to watch. The combat looks crunchy, the driving looks heavy, and the “debt” mechanic adds actual stakes to your chaos. It’s arriving early 2026 on PC (consoles later). We are ready to see if this “smaller” open world packs a bigger punch than the AAAs.

Does a cheaper, shorter, but more physics-heavy open-world game appeal to you more than a 100-hour epic?

Ryan Messina

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

SAMSON Gameplay: A First Look at Physics-Based Combat & Vehicle Destruction

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