Review by Jon Donnis
Formula Legends is clearly the type of game made by people who love motorsport, developed by 3DClouds, it's a bold attempt to bottle up six decades of open-wheel racing and hand it to Xbox players in one stylised package. At first glance, it feels like a real celebration of the sport, though a few frustrations hold it back from becoming the classic it wants to be.
Hungary Modern Early 20s
Visually, the game is a treat. The art style has a sharp, almost painterly edge to it that gives every circuit and car personality. The variety helps too. One moment you're hurtling through a sunlit marina in a car that looks like it's been lifted straight out of the 1960s, the next you're strapping into a futuristic machine bristling with energy recovery systems and digital dashboards. It's playful rather than hyper-realistic, but that's part of the charm.
The circuits are another highlight. Fourteen locations, each inspired by historic venues, evolve as the decades roll by. You notice the little changes, from broadcast overlays to trackside details, and it all feeds into the sense of travelling through different eras of racing. When the tracks open out, they flow brilliantly, offering a decent challenge without feeling unfair.
Italia Modern Early 00s
Where Formula Legends really shines is in its atmosphere. There's something genuinely fun about recognising which legendary driver a fictional rival is meant to resemble. Story Mode makes good use of history too, letting you dip into key eras and stringing it together with enough narrative to keep things moving.
But then you hit the handling. And this is where the excitement wobbles. The cars never quite feel right. Cornering is heavy, almost sluggish, while straights feel oddly floaty, as if grip comes and goes without warning. It makes racing inconsistent, which is a problem for a game that's trying to find a balance between simulation and arcade thrills. The "sim-cade" approach is a tricky line to walk, and here it feels like the game hasn't quite nailed either end of the spectrum.
Mexico Modern Mid 10s
Another drawback is the lack of official names. This isn't a licensed product, and while the fictional universe has its charm, some players may find themselves wishing for the authenticity of real drivers and teams. The game's reinterpretations are often clever, but they never fully replace the thrill of seeing familiar legends officially represented.
Even so, there's plenty here to enjoy. Formula Legends is fun, it looks great, and it's stuffed with neat touches that show real affection for motorsport. The core issue is that the handling holds it back. If 3DClouds can fine-tune the driving model, this could go from being a solid racer to something special. Right now, it's close but not quite there.
Score: 6 out of 10, a stylish love letter to racing history that just needs better driving feel to match its ambition.
Out Now on Xbox
