"Formula Legends: Where Art of Rally Meets F1"

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, an engaging arcade-style, open-wheel racing game inspired by Art of Rally that pays homage to over 50 years of Formula 1 racing, albeit without official licenses. In an exclusive early look provided to IGN, the game's commitment to recreating various eras of F1 is already striking, although elements such as AI behavior are still being refined.

Formula Legends boasts 16 car models, each adorned with seven distinct liveries. While the cars are stylized as chunky, toy-like caricatures, they are unmistakably inspired by some of the most iconic racecar designs in history. The team's focus on sound is commendable, given its importance to the identity of older F1 cars. Additionally, the game will support modding, allowing for custom liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, which could significantly enhance the gaming experience.

The game includes 14 circuits, each with multiple variations to represent their evolution from the 1970s to the 2020s, drawing inspiration from real-world locations. The story mode promises to be particularly engaging, offering era-based championships that will guide players through the pivotal moments of F1's storied history.

Racing in Formula Legends is set to be nuanced, with considerations such as skill perks for each of the 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry, the current championship leader. Other factors like 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 detailed elements with an accessible arcade-style approach.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared that while the team drew inspiration from 2023's New Star GP, which harks back to early 3D racing games, they aimed to position Formula Legends between the arcade style of New Star GP and the gameplay of 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 noted.

Although 3DClouds has primarily developed licensed racing games for a younger audience, such as Paw Patrol Grand Prix, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem, Formula Legends is described as a passion project. Executive producer Roberta Migliori emphasized that the game has been a long-held dream for the studio. "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," she said. The studio's work-for-hire history has enabled this self-funded project, coinciding with the rising popularity of F1. Being located in Milan, near the legendary Monza circuit, has also been a boon for the project.

Formula Legends is slated to launch on Xbox One and Series X|S, PS4 and PS5, PC, and Switch later this year. While the team currently lacks Switch 2 kits, Migliori assured they will explore this opportunity when ready.