From the developers behind kid-friendly kart racers like Paw Patrol Grand Prix, comes Formula Legends – an unexpected yet delightful arcade racer inspired by Formula One. While 3DClouds’ portfolio might suggest a game for a younger audience, Formula Legends surprisingly caters to long-time fans of F1 history, as well as enthusiasts of titles like Art of Rally, Circuit Superstars, and Micro Machines. This colorful, toy-like racer consistently impresses with its charming approach to celebrating various racing eras, though the experience is slightly dampened by noticeable steering lag, uneven AI, and a lack of multiplayer.
Unlike Codemasters’ realistic F1 series, Formula Legends doesn’t aim for authentic simulation. Those games cater to hardcore fans seeking realism, balanced with accessibility for newcomers. Instead, Formula Legends offers a genuinely comprehensive and faithful homage to the sport’s legacy, presented in a wonderfully unique and approachable style that older fans will truly appreciate.
Through the Ages with Hammerton & Co.
Formula Legends’ career mode takes a ‘greatest hits’ approach, spanning an impressive seven decades of open-wheel motorsport history, starting all the way back in the 1960s. Most decades are further divided into early, mid, and late phases, ensuring a constant refresh of car models, drivers, and teams across each championship. While many championships require unlocking, strategic entry points in each decade offer flexibility. You won’t be forced to race chronologically through 70-plus years just to access modern cars; you can jump from a vintage championship to the 2020s, then back to the ’90s, all while continuously unlocking new content. This thoughtful design is truly commendable.
It’s important to note that Formula Legends is entirely unlicensed, meaning no official F1 cars or driver names. Yet, this brings its own distinct charm, reminiscent of the cheeky, unlicensed sports games of yesteryear. Part of the fun is discovering the humorous aliases 3DClouds has concocted for its vast roster of teams and drivers. Prepare to meet names like Osvald Pastry, Charlie Lacreme, and Luis Hammerton, alongside past legends such as Dave Coulthsoft, Marvin Brubble, and Mike and Malf Shoemaker. While some puns can be a tad obscure (like Alan Jones seemingly relocating to New Zealand), it adds a whimsical touch overall.
[No licensed cars or driver names] means being introduced to the likes of Osvald Pastry, Charlie Lacreme, and Luis Hammerton, and also past drivers like Dave Coulthsoft, Marvin Brubble, and Mike and Malf Shoemaker.
The car designs are fantastic, with squat frames and exaggerated features evoking the classic Micro Machines I adored as a kid. The sound design is equally impressive, with engine notes dramatically shifting to reflect each era. While modern F1’s V6 turbo-hybrids sound a bit subdued compared to the V10s of old (a real-world issue, not the game’s fault), a current sound bug occasionally causes modern engine noises to drop out entirely. It’s a fixable issue, but honestly, I didn’t miss the quieter modern engines much anyway.
To capture the essence of various racing eras, 3DClouds ingeniously designed tracks with up to three distinct versions: vintage, classic, and modern. Though unlicensed, each track features enough recognizable elements to clearly hint at their real-world inspirations. I particularly appreciate how tailored these tracks are to their respective periods. Vintage circuits, for example, rely on hay bales for safety and are surrounded by picturesque countryside, while their modern counterparts are lined with curbs and integrated into bustling urban racing precincts. Some tracks evolve subtly, like the homages to Spa and Monza, while others are completely reimagined. The vintage German circuit, for instance, is a sprawling forest track mirroring the Nürburgring Nordschleife, whereas its classic and modern versions are shorter, more conventional GP layouts. Similarly, the classic Australian track offers a distinct layout and aesthetic from the modern Melbourne circuit, reflecting the real-world evolution from Adelaide to Albert Park. This level of dedication to detail showcases a passionate team of F1 fans at work. Optional visual filters even allow players to experience vintage races with a warm, old-school film tone or classic races with a vibrant, CRT TV effect, further enhancing the immersion.
Turn Around, Bright Eyes (or Cars)
The main letdown in Formula Legends is its on-track performance, which doesn’t always live up to the game’s promise. While some circuits allow me to find a good rhythm after a few laps, too often I found myself struggling to maintain a clean line, constantly correcting steering inputs coming out of corners. This is likely due to an odd input lag in the steering, making quick directional changes, especially in chicanes, quite frustrating. A more responsive control scheme would significantly improve the driving experience.
Playing from the most distant camera setting (my preferred view, as opposed to the included cockpit camera) reminds me of Art of Rally, and it’s where the game feels most balanced, easing the handling’s numbness. However, unlike Art of Rally, Formula Legends features a full grid of AI opponents, and these are a significant weak point. Even minor contact with AI cars can be surprisingly punishing. A slight brush on the outside of a corner often overrides your steering, sending you into a wall or off track. Similarly, a light bump from behind can cause other cars to dramatically slow down, trapping you in a frustrating pile-up.
The AI’s inconsistency is a major flaw, especially given the absence of a multiplayer mode. With only three difficulty settings (easy, normal, hard), their proficiency varies wildly between circuits. On many tracks, I could easily maintain a comfortable lead against normal AI, but on others (like the game’s version of Monaco), they become supernaturally fast without explanation. The bigger issue? You can’t adjust the difficulty mid-championship; once set, it’s fixed for all subsequent races. This means if one track is unfairly difficult, you’re stuck.
Formula Legends would be much improved with an AI system we’re able to adjust with a bit more granularity.
A more granular AI adjustment system would greatly benefit Formula Legends, allowing for tighter, more engaging races. Considering features like tire wear, dynamic weather, and pit stops are all part of the game’s strategy, the ability to fine-tune AI difficulty would make those split-second pit decisions far more tense and impactful.
Verdict
Formula Legends stands as an earnest and consistently charming unofficial tribute to seven decades of F1 racing, blending elements of Art of Rally with the playful spirit of Micro Machines. With tracks, engine sounds, and even visual filters that evolve dramatically across the eras, the game offers a deeply engaging experience that kept me thoroughly invested in exploring and unlocking its extensive content. Despite its occasionally laggy handling and frustratingly inconsistent AI racers, I found myself willing to overlook these flaws to immerse myself in its lovingly crafted world of motorsport history.