The long-awaited release of the indie game title Formula Legends has finally arrived, and it has brought with it a mixed bag of reviews for a game that many had waited patiently for with high hopes.
Unlicensed, it has to work under some obvious constraints, but many believed this could be one of the classic F1 games and reinvigorate the genre.
Instead, it has debuted to a distinct lack of fanfare. While praised for its attempt to capture the excitement of retro F1 racing, it has also been described as limited, with its stylised take on premier class racing held back by its lack of licensing.
That means no official teams or drivers, ensuring an otherworldly feel to the game that can leave a surreal aftertaste. It is by no means a failure. Its gameplay is strong, and the stylish visuals are a breath of fresh air in a genre of gaming that has always erred on the side of hyper-realism.
Instead, we have this near-cartoonish take on the sport, which few can deny is attractive. However, controlling the vehicles is difficult, and we’re left wondering if this is a missed opportunity for motorsport gaming.
A genre as popular as ever for gaming
Motorsports gaming is a tale as old as time. Ever since the arcade units of the 80s introduced us to the joy of pixelated racing, we have collectively yearned for more gaming that puts us in the cockpit of the most advanced vehicles of the time. It speaks to the human desire for thrills that it has endured as a concept well beyond what could be expected.
Take the online casino as an example. Despite being far removed from the concept of motorsport, there are hundreds of slots that use the theme as their backdrop.
At Karamba, a UK online casino, games like Respin Racer are some of the most popular on the site. While they may not simulate the experience of driving outright, they do emulate something about the sport that appeals to many.
It’s this that makes it seem like we’ve entered a time of excess, where there are many different games available for the average F1 or general motorsports fan. However, outside of some more niche titles and motorsports-inspired slot games, many of the big releases – especially on the AAA side of things – appear to follow the same formula – pun not intended.
Street racers have come to dominate the landscape
When it comes to racing sims, there is one subgenre that appears to beat out all others. The street racer is a very popular choice among developers, if not necessarily among all motorsport purists.
Titles like Forza and, in the past, Need for Speed have become the standard. The former, in particular, is one of the most enduring and critically acclaimed racing sims of all time.
However, it hasn’t always been this way. The F1 series from EA may be entering its pinnacle with F125, according to PCGamesN, but it perhaps isn’t as popular as it once was. What’s more, off-road racers were once a big draw, especially in the UK.
Think Colin McRae’s popular Rally series for the original PlayStation. Now known as DiRT, it’s a shadow of its former self, and a new game hasn’t been released since DiRT 5.
That’s why it’s so disappointing that Formula Legends is good at best. With Codemasters and EA owning the exclusive licensing rights for Formula One, a track-based indie game could have offered something more to players who wanted a different take on the sport.
While the Formula 1 championshipis great for realism, much like its football counterpart in FC, it lacks a personal feel.
The future could still be in indie gaming
Triple-A titles like F1 and Forza will never easily relinquish control of the motorsport simulation world. However, the indie landscape certainly offers a unique view of what could be for fans of the genre. While Formula Legends missed the mark a little with its first release, it’s a promising title that could be built upon to great success.
If that is the case, we could be approaching an entirely new world of racing sims. One that prioritises the fun and passion of the sport, rather than aiming for gritty realism that can alienate less grizzled gamers looking for their racing fix.
