"Formula Legends: Where Art of Rally Meets F1"

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, a captivating new racing game inspired by the iconic Art of Rally. This title offers an arcade-style, open-wheel racing experience that celebrates over 50 years of Formula 1 history, albeit without official licensing. In an exclusive preview with IGN, 3DClouds showcased the game's impressive dedication to recreating various F1 eras, although some elements like AI behavior are still being refined.

Formula Legends will boast 16 car models, each featuring seven distinct liveries. These cars are stylized as chunky, toy-like caricatures, yet their designs pay clear homage to some of the most iconic racecars in history. The team has placed a strong emphasis on sound, which is vital for capturing the essence of vintage 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, all inspired by real-world locations. The story mode promises to be particularly engaging, guiding players through era-specific championships that highlight pivotal moments in F1 history.

Racing in Formula Legends will involve nuanced gameplay elements, including skill perks for each of the 200 drivers (with amusing names like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry), as well as considerations like tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather. It will be intriguing to see how 3DClouds balances these deeper mechanics with the game's accessible arcade-style approach.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared that the team drew inspiration from 2023’s New Star GP, which evokes early 3D racing games, but aimed to position Formula Legends between New Star GP and Art of Rally in terms of gameplay. “Art of Rally was the main inspiration we took for this game,” Mantovani noted. “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 represents a passion project for the studio, created independently. Executive producer Roberta Migliori emphasized the studio's long-standing desire to create this game, enabled by resources from previous work-for-hire projects. “With the increasing popularity of the sport and the strong passion, it just seemed like the right moment,” Migliori stated, adding that the game is entirely self-funded.

Located in Milan, just a short drive from Monza—Formula 1’s legendary Temple of Speed and the third purpose-built race track ever constructed—3DClouds' proximity to this iconic location likely adds to their enthusiasm 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. Although the team does not currently have Switch 2 kits, Migliori confirmed they will explore this opportunity when ready.