Review - Formula Legends: A Love Letter to Formula 1 in Italian

If there's one thing Italian game development studio 3DClouds (official website) knows how to do, and does it well, it's racing games. But they're not just good at it; they're passionate about it. They understand the subject like few others and have licensed games under their belts, considered by many to be the best racing games in their respective franchises, such as Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem and Transformers: Galactic Trials. But what happens when they decide to move away from licensed games and start their own IP?

What happens is Formula Legends! A racing game that takes 5,000 hours or more of racing simulator research, strips out everything that's not essential (or fun), adds a touch of arcade flair, and a whole lot of Formula 1 history condensed into real cars, drivers, and championships (although with names slightly altered to avoid copyright infringement), making this game a true love letter to racing fans.

Despite its "Mario Kart" feel, with its squished, cute cars and big-headed drivers, Formula Legends leaves nothing to be desired in terms of technical expertise, transforming the game into a "love letter" to racing games and F1. Let's talk about Formula Legends, and if you have any questions, leave a comment.

The game's most compelling starting point is its era-based structure: there are representations of single-seaters ranging from the 1960s to the modern era. In this sense, Formula Legends allows the player to experience—albeit in a stylized way—the birth of aerodynamics, the roaring turbos of the 1980s and 1990s, the V10 and V8 engines, and, finally, the complex hybrid universe of the present. Classic circuits have undergone different iterations over the years—a simpler layout in the early decades, with fewer barriers, more "child's play," and evolutions on modern tracks with bolder curves, run-off areas, and safety equipment.

All of this helps to realize the idea of ​​a "playable museum": there are many tracks (or variations thereof), many models, and countless indirect references, which serve as nods to enthusiasts who recognize situations, engine styles, and even atmospheres from decades past.

On the other hand, it's impossible to ignore that many elements are locked at the beginning: cars, tracks, and layout versions must be unlocked gradually in career mode. In theory, this encourages progression, but it can frustrate those who bought the game expecting immediate access to everything and want to create their own historic championships without waiting.

In Formula Legends, the intention to "balance simulator and arcade" is clearly evident in the assistance options (ABS brakes, traction control, etc.), which can be turned off for those seeking something more challenging. There's also tire wear management, fuel consumption, car damage, dynamic weather changes, and even a pit stop mini-game (timing keystrokes, managing refueling)—all elements that enhance the experience with interesting strategic layers.

However, the execution of these ideas has its own problems. Control precision is often cited as a weakness: on more technical tracks, where fine-tuning makes a difference, the game seems resistant to rapid trajectory changes and demands excessive anticipation in corners. This means that, in head-to-head matches, the player almost always comes out on the losing end—collisions tend to trigger penalties or loss of momentum that are difficult to recover from. Collisions also rarely result in spectacular moments—more often, they're reset mechanics or loss of pace—which detracts from the experience in direct matches.

Also notable is a certain feeling of "input lag," or delayed response to controls, which is a significant issue in competitive racing. And track limit controls are strict: even slightly exceeding a track marker can result in significant penalties in short races. In theory, these rules can be disabled in custom races, but requiring unlocks to access the more personalized options can frustrate those who want more freedom from the start.

The career mode serves as the game's nerve center: it's where you start from older eras, racking up hours and achievements, unlocking cars, drivers, and tracks. The progression mechanics, in this structure, are solid in terms of incentive—completing challenges, racking up kilometers, achieving podiums—but in practice, some decisions feel hamstrung. For example, some cars or circuits only become available after specific races; sometimes, completing a track in one era grants access to versions of it from other decades, which creates a sense of "surprise package" rather than complete freedom.

Furthermore, the game has difficulty spikes that seem poorly calibrated: winning a race on one track may seem relatively easy, and the next, the opponents suddenly appear stronger, or the car itself seems less responsive. This inconsistent curve undermines the feeling of gradual, controlled progression.

And this includes the AI-controlled opponents. They demonstrate a notable inconsistency: in one race, they seem too slow, in another, they seem unattainable. This abrupt oscillation compromises the balance between challenge and frustration.

However, when the gears work well—a familiar track, a well-thought-out strategy, a car appropriate for the era—you can experience memorable races. Deciding whether to stop early for tire changes or hold off on an aggressive game of attrition, managing damage and fuel, anticipating weather changes: all of this adds layers of tension that go beyond "just going fast."

Despite the cartoonish appearance, the visuals deserve praise. The miniature model cars are well-crafted: exposed engines, transmissions, and aesthetic details that evolve over the decades. There are modern versions inspired by systems like the Wind Reduction System (WRS), for example, indicating that conceptual—if not literal—attention was paid to real-world technologies.

The tracks also convey this care: old layouts with little protection or demarcation give way to circuits with kerbs, extra areas, and visual safety features in the most recent versions. And there are visual changes in the weather throughout the races: weather transitions are accompanied by visual changes in the asphalt, reflections, shadows, etc.

When the game gets it right, it gets it right: the roars of the engines from the loudest decades—V10, V8—come through strongly. Some imperfections were noted: moments when the engine sound disappears or is replaced by less expressive ambient noise. There are also reports of pop-in in the textures during weather changes. These slip-ups, though occasional, break the spell when you're immersed.

For PC players, the game offers something extra: the ability to customize names and colors. This means that if you don't like the fictional car titles the game presents, you can rename teams, drivers, colors, etc., adding a personal touch to the game's tribute.

Pros:

– Charismatic retro look full of historical details;

– Well-represented variety of cars and eras;

– Dynamic weather and fun pit stop system;

– A good sense of progression in career mode;

– Option to customize names and paint jobs;

Cons:

– Imprecise controls and slow response;

– Inconsistent AI;

– Excessive penalties for running off the track;

– Slow unlocking of tracks and cars;

– Uneven performance and minor sound bugs;

Formula Legends wasn't made for those looking for a cutting-edge simulator or for those who want pure arcade racing without penalties. It's a balance, a bridge between nostalgia, a tribute to motorsport, and strategic fun. It’ll especially appeal to those interested in the history of the sport and want to see—even if stylized—its evolution on the road.

But its flaws prevent it from becoming an instant classic. The spongy controls, the unbalanced AI, the gradual unlocking of almost everything, and the penalties for even the slightest overtaking are real barriers. In direct confrontations with other simulation or arcade racing games with more stable AI, it ends up being overshadowed.

Still, when the game "gets the moment right," as in well-balanced and well-prepared races, it delivers genuine pleasure: feeling the tire management, fighting for position, anticipating weather conditions, and building a strategy that can turn the outcome around in the final stretch. It's in this mix that Formula Legends' charm lies.