Home News "Formula Legends Blends Art of Rally and F1 Thrills"

"Formula Legends Blends Art of Rally and F1 Thrills"

Author : Violet Update : May 05,2025

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, a captivating new title that draws inspiration from the acclaimed Art of Rally while offering an arcade-style, open-wheel racing experience. This game ambitiously celebrates over 50 years of Formula 1's rich history, albeit without official licensing. 3DClouds provided IGN with an exclusive preview, showcasing the game's impressive dedication to recreating various eras of F1, despite ongoing refinements to elements like AI behavior.

Formula Legends boasts a collection of 16 car models, each available in seven distinct liveries. While these cars are presented as chunky, toy-style caricatures, their designs pay clear homage to some of the most iconic racecar liveries in history. The team has placed significant emphasis on sound design, an essential aspect that particularly enhances the authenticity of older F1 cars. Additionally, Formula Legends will support modding, allowing players to customize liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, which could significantly enhance the game's longevity and community engagement.

The game will feature 14 circuits, each with multiple variations that reflect their evolution from the 1970s through to the 2020s, all inspired by real-world locations. The story mode promises to be a highlight, offering era-based championships that will guide players through pivotal moments in F1's storied past.

Racing in Formula Legends will involve nuanced gameplay mechanics, with each of the 200 drivers, including amusingly named characters like Mike Shoemaker and championship leader Osvald Pastry, possessing unique skill perks. Players will also need to manage tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather conditions. It will be fascinating to see how 3DClouds balances these deeper elements with the game's accessible arcade feel.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared that the team drew inspiration from 2023's New Star GP, yet aimed for a gameplay experience that straddles the line between New Star GP and Art of Rally. "Art of Rally was the main inspiration we took for this game. We appreciate how they worked on the camera and on the tracks," Mantovani explained.

Although 3DClouds has primarily developed licensed racing games for younger audiences, such as Paw Patrol Grand Prix, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem, Formula Legends is described as a true passion project. Executive producer Roberta Migliori emphasized the studio's long-held desire to create this game, facilitated by their work-for-hire success and the surging popularity of F1. "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," Migliori stated.

The studio's proximity to Monza, Formula 1's legendary Temple of Speed, likely adds a special touch to the development process. Formula Legends is set to launch later this year on Xbox One and Series X|S, PS4 and PS5, PC, and Switch. While 3DClouds currently lacks Switch 2 development kits, Migliori assured that they will explore that option once ready.