Man, is this the year for Formula 1 or what? As if the new league wasn’t already gaining a number of new fans, we got a sensational movie with Brad Pitt’s F1. So…that can only mean we’re getting a flurry of new games, right? Obviously the hardcore fans have Codemasters’ F1 25 to lean on. But what about those looking for a simpler introduction? Well, look no further than Formula Legends.
This isn’t an official F1 game per se, but it is inspired as such. It allows players to jump into a number of eras, learning the mastery of the sport without struggling too much with the realities of simulation. It spans a number of decades, introducing you to cars from the 60s all the way to modern day, across various locales. And it doesn’t let up on the gas pedal when it comes to driving.
There’s a lot to do within the game’s main mode, including plenty to unlock. However, this also leads to the game’s biggest drawback – there’s not much to do outside of it. Formula Legends is sorely missing multiplayer, and there are few modes on hand here. That’s not to say you won’t get mileage out of it – you will – but I can’t help but think more could’ve been done.
At least the presentation is solid, and the handling of each vehicle stays the course. And at the end of the day, that will be enough to enthusiasts willing to learn more about the nature of F1. Formula Legends may not fire on all cylinders, but it does have performance under the hood for its asking price. Sometimes, all you want to do is drive, and, boy, does this game let you.
Formula Legends Puts You Right On the Road
It’s hard to describe which category Formula Legends falls into. On the one hand, it has an arcade-style approach, doing away with stuff like watching gauges and what-not. But there are simulation elements as well, including utilizing the WRS, using pit stops and getting boosts when earned. You’ll also need to watch your tires, because, well, your car won’t get far without them, will they?
But everything’s nicely balanced here so that it’s not too complicated, and you can focus on the driving. It’s here where Legends excels, because it feels like a winner. No matter which era you choose for your car, you’ll find the controls to be pretty good. You will need to get used to braking in spots (Burnout this ain’t), but you’ll learn strategies and where to use boosts the right way. You’ll also recognize when to switch out tires and activate secondary systems to go for the lead. It’s a splendid system that really teaches you all about F1, even if it’s not necessarily F1.
The main arcade mode gives you plenty to do and unlock, so you can progress and really get your money’s worth out of the game. However, it feels lonely on the track, mainly because of no multiplayer. I think Legendswould’ve benefitted greatly from having this element, building up a community of drivers that want to become die-hard racers. Not to mention there’s no leaderboards either. It’s just you and the road. The fact that the game is missing other modes is noticeable too.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’re a solo driver and want to learn the general rules of F1 racing, Legends is a strong place to start. It’s just that, after making so much progress, you want to see how you measure up to others, right? Here’s hoping the developers add some stuff down the road to give the game extra mileage.
How Does Formula Legends Perform Under the Hood?
As for performance, Formula Legends isn’t half bad.
The visuals look very good for the most part, and there’s something to be said about the exquisite track design. The fact that each decade is emulated just about perfectly in each set-up is beautiful, especially with the “tiny” cars. Plus they run smoothly, though the game does have visual stutters here and there. Nothing to get in the way of performance, though.
That said, the in-game music is lacking. I think the devs were trying to go for more of a general approach, rather than licensed. I can understand that in terms of budget reasons, but it still takes away from it. With such a generic set of tunes, it gives the game a bland personality that it doesn’t deserve. It’s not elevator muzak, mind you, but it doesn’t really stick with you.
Fortunately, the sound effects are great. The sound of your tires is true to the sport of racing, and the engine noises will definitely excite enthusiasts.
Head Out on the Track With Formula Legends
If you already get enough mileage from F1 25, then Formula Legends may not be the ride for you – especially with its lack of features. For newcomers and fans of simpler racing, however, it does feel more like a fit. It allows you to focus on your driving across a number of decades, unlocking new content as you go along. Not to mention that it feels great and, for the most part, looks like a racing game should.
I do hope we see it expand at some point. But as it stands, Formula Legends is definitely worth hitting the road with if you want to see what F1 is all about. It may not be the official blueprint, but it definitely offers something under the hood.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to 3DClouds for providing us with a review code! Formula Legends is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Need more racing goodness? Check out our editorial on why racing games need to change for the better!
