Samson: launch issues and the future on consoles

Samson, a third-person action-adventure game developed by Liquid Swords, has had a turbulent start since its PC release on April 8, 2026. Set in the 1990s and directed by Christofer Sundberg, best known for the Just Cause series, the game has still received mixed reviews from critics and players despite high expectations.

Development history

Liquid Swords, the developer behind Samson, is a relatively new studio making its debut with this game. It was marketed as an ambitious open-world adventure with detailed melee combat and car action. However, when it launched on Steam, the game arrived with a range of technical issues and bugs, with players mainly complaining about a rough overall experience.

Reviews and reception

Samson currently holds a Top Critic Average of 53 on OpenCritic, with just 33% of critics recommending it. On Steam, the game has a "Mixed" rating after 2,414 user reviews. GameRant scored Samson 3 out of 10, calling it a "broken, boring, charmless game" that needed more time in development. IGN gave it a 4 out of 10, despite noting some unique elements the game does offer.

Timeline

April 8, 2026: Samson launches on PC.
April 17, 2026: Liquid Swords confirms Samson is coming to consoles this fall.
April 19, 2026: New information about the PS5 version of Samson is shared.
April 24, 2026: Samson's PS5 and Xbox Series release is scheduled for September 2026.

Future updates and console release

Following the controversial launch, Liquid Swords has announced an extensive update schedule. The team has promised regular patches to fix technical issues and improve the gameplay experience. Two major updates have already been released, with more on the way.

The studio has also laid out a roadmap for the rest of 2026, including plans for new content updates focused on the combat mechanics and driving experience. The first major content update is expected in May, followed by a second in June.

With console versions planned for later in 2026, there is hope that Samson can overcome its shortcomings for a new audience. Liquid Swords says it remains committed to substantially improving the game, helped by player feedback from the community on Discord and other forums.

While Samson's future remains uncertain, the team at Liquid Swords stays determined and ambitious in its effort to improve the game's quality and content. Fans of open-world games remain cautiously optimistic about what's next.