Samson: New Open-World Crime Action Game From Just Cause Creator

Liquid Swords is preparing to release Samson: A Tyndalston Story, an open-world crime action game developed by Christofer Sundberg, the creator of the Just Cause series. The title is scheduled for release on April 8, 2026, and will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store (EGS).

The game positions itself within the open-world crime genre, drawing comparisons to the Grand Theft Auto series. However, the developers have stated that the project aims to be a choice for players who want a different experience from those larger titles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Structure

Samson features a unique, roguelike-adjacent structure that was developed out of necessity after the studio faced industry pressures and a reduction in team size approximately one year prior to the reporting.

The core gameplay revolves around a daily cycle of financial pressure. Each morning, the protagonist, Samson, wakes up with a debt that must be paid. Players are given a specific financial target to meet and a limited number of action points to plan their activities for the day.

To meet these financial goals, players can engage in various criminal activities, including:

• Driving getaway vehicles
• Extorting businesses
• Taking down rival gangsters

The game introduces a tension between narrative progression and financial survival. Story missions compete for priority with lucrative jobs. If a player abandons a job, they risk encountering debt collectors who may attempt to take the cash by force.

Failure to meet the financial targets has high stakes for the characters, as both Samson and his sister are threatened with violent consequences if the debt is not managed.

Development and Design Evolution

The game’s current form is the result of a mid-development pivot. Following a period where the studio laid off half of its staff, the project was pared back, leading to the adoption of its current unusual structure and a focus on fist-based combat.

The reality of the industry hit us about a year ago, and we laid off half the team … And those were our friends, and that hurt.

Christofer Sundberg

According to reports, this reduction in scope ultimately made the game more unique by forcing the developers to implement a system where the pressure of the story is handed directly to the player through the financial management mechanic.

Market Reception and Availability

Prior to its launch, the game has generated significant interest, with wishlist registrations exceeding 300,000. The developer has also released a series of video diaries and gameplay reveals to highlight the game’s gritty, story-driven nature and the relationships between the main characters, specifically Samson and his family.

The title is described as a brutal street crime game that emphasizes the struggle for survival within a debt-ridden criminal underworld.