Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, an exciting new game that draws inspiration from Art of Rally while offering an arcade-style, open-wheel racing experience. This game pays homage to over 50 years of Formula 1 racing history, albeit without official licensing. 3DClouds shared an early preview with IGN, showcasing their dedication to capturing various eras of F1, despite ongoing refinements to elements like AI behavior.
Formula Legends will feature 16 car models, each boasting seven distinct liveries. While the cars are designed as chunky, toy-style caricatures, they still pay clear tribute to some of the most iconic racecar designs in history. The development team has placed a strong emphasis on sound design, which is 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 overall experience.
Each of the 14 circuits in Formula Legends will offer multiple variations to reflect their evolution from the 1970s to the 2020s, all inspired by real-world locations. The game’s story mode promises an engaging journey through F1’s defining moments, structured around era-based championships.
Racing in Formula Legends will involve a nuanced approach, with 200 drivers, each possessing unique skill perks. Factors such as tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather will add depth to the gameplay. It will be fascinating to see how 3DClouds balances these elements with the game's accessible arcade-style racing.
Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots
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Producer Francesco Mantovani revealed that the team drew inspiration from 2023’s New Star GP, a throwback to early 3D racing games with an F1 theme, but aimed to create something less arcade-focused with Formula Legends. “We tried to move it in line between New Star GP and Art of Rally, in terms of gameplay,” Mantovani explained. “Art of Rally was the main inspiration we took for this game. We appreciate how they worked on the camera and on the tracks.”
Although 3DClouds has primarily developed licensed racing games for younger audiences in the past, including titles like Paw Patrol Grand Prix, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem, Formula Legends represents a passion project for the studio, developed entirely independently. Executive producer Roberta Migliori emphasized, “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,” highlighting how the studio’s work-for-hire projects have enabled this venture at a time when F1’s popularity is on the rise. “With the increasing popularity of the sport and the strong passion, it just seemed like the right moment. The game is completely self-funded thanks to other games we’ve worked on.”
The studio’s proximity to Monza, Formula 1’s legendary Temple of Speed, has likely played a role in their decision to develop 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 3DClouds does not currently have access to Switch 2 kits, Migliori noted they will explore this opportunity when the time is right.
