"Formula Legends: Where Art of Rally Meets F1"

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, a new racing game that draws inspiration from Art of Rally and pays homage to over 50 years of Formula 1 racing, albeit without official licenses. In an exclusive preview with IGN, 3DClouds showcased the game's development, highlighting their dedication to accurately capturing various eras of F1 racing, despite ongoing refinements to elements like AI behavior.

Formula Legends will boast 16 car models, each available in seven distinct liveries. While the cars are styled as chunky, toy-like caricatures, they are unmistakably inspired by some of the most iconic racecar designs in history. The development team has placed a strong emphasis on sound, 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 game's replayability.

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

Racing in Formula Legends will involve nuanced gameplay, with 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry, each possessing unique skill perks. Players will also need to manage tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather conditions. Balancing these deeper elements with an accessible arcade-style approach will be key to the game's success.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared 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 purely arcade-focused for 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."

While 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 passion project, developed independently. Executive producer Roberta Migliori emphasized the studio's long-held desire to create this game, made possible by their work-for-hire history and the current surge in F1's popularity. "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," Migliori stated. "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, the legendary Temple of Speed and one of the earliest purpose-built race tracks, likely adds to their passion for the project. Formula Legends 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 development kits, Migliori confirmed they will explore this opportunity when ready.