"Formula Legends: Where Art of Rally Meets F1"

Italian studio 3DClouds has unveiled Formula Legends, a captivating new racing game inspired by the acclaimed Art of Rally. This game offers an arcade-style, open-wheel racing experience that pays homage to over 50 years of Formula 1 history, 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, despite ongoing refinements to AI behavior.

Formula Legends will feature 16 car models, each boasting seven unique liveries. While the cars are presented in a chunky, toy-like style, they are clearly inspired by some of the most iconic racecar designs in F1 history. The team at 3DClouds has placed a significant emphasis on sound design, a crucial element for capturing the essence of older F1 cars. Additionally, the game will support extensive modding, allowing players to customize liveries, helmets, and trackside sponsors, adding a layer of personalization and community engagement.

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

Racing in Formula Legends will offer nuanced gameplay, with considerations for tyre wear, fuel consumption, rubbered-in racing lines, damage, and dynamic weather affecting performance. With 200 drivers, including playfully named characters like Mike Shoemaker and current championship leader Osvald Pastry, each possessing unique skill perks, the game aims to blend these deeper elements with an accessible arcade feel, which will be fascinating to see in action.

Formula Legends Reveal Screenshots

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Producer Francesco Mantovani shared that while the team drew inspiration from 2023's New Star GP, they aimed to position Formula Legends between that game and Art of Rally in terms of gameplay. "Art of Rally was the main inspiration we took for this game," Mantovani stated. "We appreciate how they worked on the camera and on the tracks."

Although 3DClouds has a history of developing licensed racing games targeted at 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, developed independently. "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 projects have provided the necessary funds, coinciding with a surge in F1's 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 proximity to Monza, Formula 1's legendary Temple of Speed, has undoubtedly influenced 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 does not currently have Switch 2 development kits, Migliori confirmed they will explore that possibility once ready.