Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, a captivating arcade-style racing game inspired by Art of Rally. This game pays homage to more than 50 years of Formula 1 racing, albeit without official licensing. In an exclusive preview with IGN, 3DClouds showcased the game's progress, revealing a dedicated effort to authentically recreate various eras of F1 racing, even as they continue to refine elements like AI behavior.
Formula Legends will feature 16 car models, each sporting seven unique liveries. While the cars are designed as chunky, toy-style caricatures, their inspiration from some of the most iconic racecar designs in history is unmistakable. The team has placed significant emphasis on sound, crucial for capturing the essence of older F1 cars. Additionally, the game will support modding, allowing players to customize liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, enhancing the game's replayability and personalization.
The game will include 14 circuits, each with multiple variations to reflect their evolution from the 1970s to the 2020s, inspired by real-life locations. The story mode promises an engaging journey through the pivotal moments of F1's history, structured around era-based championships.
Racing in Formula Legends will involve nuanced gameplay, with each of the 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry, possessing unique skill perks. Factors such as tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather will all play a role, blending deeper simulation elements with an accessible arcade-style approach.
Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots
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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared that the game draws inspiration from 2023’s New Star GP, aiming to strike a balance between that title's arcade feel and the more nuanced gameplay of Art of Rally. "We tried to move it in line between New Star GP and Art of Rally, in terms of gameplay," Mantovani stated. "Art of Rally was the main inspiration we took for this game. We appreciate how they worked on the camera and on the tracks."
3DClouds, known primarily for creating licensed racing games aimed at a younger audience like Paw Patrol Grand Prix, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem, sees Formula Legends as a passion project. "I think it’s a game that they’ve been wanting to make for a really, really long time, and finally we have the resources to do it," said executive producer Roberta Migliori. She highlighted the studio's work-for-hire history and the rising popularity of Formula 1 as key factors in choosing the right moment for this self-funded endeavor.
The studio's proximity to Monza, the legendary Temple of Speed, likely adds to their passion and authenticity in crafting Formula Legends. The game is set to launch later this year on Xbox One and Series X|S, PS4 and PS5, PC, and Switch. While the team currently lacks Switch 2 kits, Migliori confirmed they will explore that opportunity when ready.
