"Formula Legends: Where Art of Rally Meets F1"

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, an arcade-style, open-wheel racing game inspired by Art of Rally. This new title pays homage to over 50 years of Formula 1 racing, albeit without official licensing. In an exclusive preview with IGN, 3DClouds showcased the game's progress, highlighting their dedication to authentically recreating various eras of F1 history, despite ongoing refinements in areas such as AI behavior.

Formula Legends will feature 16 car models, each with seven distinct liveries. While the cars adopt a chunky, toy-like aesthetic, their designs are unmistakably inspired by some of the most iconic racecar liveries in F1 history. The development team has placed significant emphasis on sound, crucial for capturing the essence of vintage F1 cars. Additionally, the game will support modding, allowing customization of liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, enhancing the game's replayability and community engagement.

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

Racing in Formula Legends will feature nuanced mechanics, with 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and Osvald Pastry, each possessing unique skill perks. Factors such as tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather will add depth to the racing experience. Balancing these detailed elements with an accessible arcade-style gameplay will be key to the game's success.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani revealed that while Formula Legends drew inspiration from 2023's New Star GP, the team aimed to position the game between New Star GP and Art of Rally in terms of gameplay. "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 stated.

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 represents a passion project. "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," said executive producer Roberta Migliori. She noted that the studio's work-for-hire history has provided the resources needed, especially as F1's popularity continues to grow. "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."

Being based in Milan, close to the iconic Monza circuit, has likely been a significant advantage for 3DClouds. Formula Legends is set to launch later this year on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Switch. While the team does not currently have access to Switch 2 kits, Migliori assured that they will explore this opportunity once available.