Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled their latest project, Formula Legends, an engaging arcade-style racing game inspired by the acclaimed Art of Rally. This title pays homage to over five decades of Formula 1 racing, albeit without official licenses. In an exclusive preview with IGN, 3DClouds showcased their dedication to capturing the essence of various F1 eras, despite ongoing refinements to elements like AI behavior.
Formula Legends will feature 16 distinct car models, each boasting seven unique liveries. While the cars are stylized in a chunky, toy-like fashion, they cleverly mimic the iconic designs of real-life F1 cars. The development team has placed a strong emphasis on sound, a crucial element for authentically recreating the experience of older F1 vehicles. Additionally, the game will support extensive modding, allowing players to customize liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, adding significant depth to the gameplay.
The game includes 14 circuits, each with multiple configurations reflecting changes over the decades from the 1970s to the 2020s. These tracks are inspired by actual racing venues, enhancing the immersive experience.
The story mode in Formula Legends promises to be a highlight, guiding players through era-specific championships that encapsulate the pivotal moments in F1's storied history.
Racing in Formula Legends will be nuanced, with considerations such as tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather impacting gameplay. With 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry, each with unique skill perks, the game aims to blend these sophisticated elements with an accessible arcade feel. How 3DClouds will balance these aspects will be a key point of interest.
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 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 is known for developing licensed racing games aimed at 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, independently created by 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," stated executive producer Roberta Migliori. She highlighted that the studio's work-for-hire history has positioned them well to capitalize on F1's growing popularity. "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 location in Milan, near the iconic Monza circuit, may have also inspired their focus on F1.
Formula Legends is set to launch later this year on Xbox One and Series X|S, PS4 and PS5, PC, and Switch. Although 3DClouds currently lacks Switch 2 development kits, Migliori confirmed their interest in exploring this platform once feasible.
