For some of us, the F1 summer break is great. It means you don’t need to get up at 3 AM to watch the support races, either on the throne or clinging to hold in the morning poo. With that, there goes the chance of getting a key for this one. Announced back in April alongside GIANTS Software’s Project Motor Racing, 3DClouds’ Formula Legends is a (sort of) better-looking version of F1 Race Stars without the Mario Kart nonsense. More “sim-cade” than the typical “your friend gets a Blue Shell, so you want to stab their eyes out with the sharp end of a spoon.”

Announced two hours ago (from the article’s publishing), Formula Legends is set to come to PC and consoles next month. “Independent studio 3DClouds is delighted to announce that their slick open-wheel sim-cade racer Formula Legends will launch for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 platforms on 18th September worldwide, priced at £19.99/ $19.99/ €19.99,” notes the press release.

The press release goes on to note, with the thin illusions of what 3DClouds and Formula Legends are mimicking: “3DClouds has worked tirelessly on their approachable yet challenging racing game, which emulates the last seventy years of the world’s premier open-world motorsport. Tracks, drivers, teams[,] and cars are all playfully inspired by racing’s past and present.“

From Monaco and Monza, to Belgium, the introduction of downforce in the 70s, to what I want to say is the 2016 FW38, and even the sponsors seem to mimic parts of formula racing history. A bit like how Funselektor’s Golden Lap does for the “Golden” era of motorsport. There seems to be a lot of focus on actually doing something in gaming about the history of Formula 1 in particular, which is more than can be said of the official releases this year. However, according to the press release, you don’t need to know all the history to enjoy Formula Legends.

“Formula Legends[‘] development has been driven by the team’s passion and knowledge of competitive motorsport, but this new release is being designed as an experience for all racing game fans, featuring arcade-like approachability and plenty of optional driving assists that allow anyone to have a good time regardless of their skill level.” Although certain groups on the internet (men with fragile egos) think you need 15 years of experience to apply to be a motorsport fan, this is great and sort of what F1 needs.

While Liberty Media spins the idea that sprint races in F1 give younger people a better chance to enjoy motorsport (nonsense!), there is some validity to getting younger people excited about F1. This sort of “Sim-cade” thing is exactly that. It not only offers the history of the sport but also something that is trying to be fun at its core. According to the press release, Formula Legends is borrowing all the simulation bits like tyre wear, track evolution, damage, fuel, and the weather, but also “most importantly, fun.”

“Don’t just take our word for it though, starting today[,] everyone can sample Formula Legends for free by downloading a new demo for PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 platforms. The Nintendo Switch demo will launch on Nintendo eShop, 14th August,” the press release notes. With the new demo comes several things: Hungary and Belgium seemingly both in classic and modern configs, 70s, 90s, and 2020s cars, new weather including stuff modern F1 cars aren’t allowed to play in because the FIA are the fun police, customizable gameplay, and most importantly, new cameras, including a new cockpit cam.

Francesco Bruschi, CEO of 3DClouds, said of the announcement, “Formula Legends has evolved massively since we announced the game earlier in the year[,] and this new demo is another opportunity for us to learn and evolve the experience as we accelerate to launch. Formula Legends has been a labour of love for the entire team as we’re all massive motorsport fans, and we know that anyone who shares that level of passion will cherish their time with our game.”

There is also a new trailer (linked above) of Formula Legends, announcing the release date and the new demo. Formula Legends will be releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, the Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store on September 18th. It will also be priced at $19.99 in the US, €19.99 in Europe, and £19.99 in the UK, or your regional equivalent. I’m excited to see and play more of Formula Legends when it releases next month.

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