If you’ve ever wanted to race through the golden eras of open-wheel motorsport without the branding, the pressure or the price tag of the big names, Formula Legends delivers a fun, nostalgia-fuelled drive. It’s not perfect, but when it hits it hits, and for the right kind of driver it’s a solid ride.
The concept is simple but compelling: race machines from decades past and present across circuits inspired by the sport’s history. You’ll zip across tracks in stylised cars that nod to the greats, feel the change in era through visuals and sound, and unlock new vehicles, tracks and driver-cards as you go. It’s a love letter to motorsport that’s lighter on license fees and heavier on charm, while still giving you regular “hold on, I know this sequence of corners” as you race through definitely-not-Eau-Rouge or other classic corners.
On the driving front, Formula Legends sits somewhere between arcade accessibility and sim ambition. You’ve got tyre wear, weather, pit stops, fuel… a little simulation flavour sneaks in. But the vehicle physics lean more forgiving with braking and traction assists available; this isn’t a hardcore simulator, it’s a racing game for folks who like sliding the limit without having to button-map every gear change, but you’ll still be locking up into a barrier or spinning out if you turn off the assists and try to be too rough with the controls.
Visually the game works its magic. The stylised art direction gives every era its own flair. Cars from the ’60s feel rawer, ’80s machines bulkier, modern ones sleek and sharp. Tracks shift in mood too. It’s how it should feel when you’re jumping eras. The PS5 version runs well for the most part, with smooth performance and minimal fuss, the cartoony style works really nicely with the less official vibe of the game.
Sadly it’s not without its issues. AI can be erratic; sometimes it’s too forgiving, other times you get wrecked by misbehaving drivers with no warning. Handling occasionally gets mushy when you’d hope for crisp responsiveness, making some corners feel more like negotiation than racing, especially through chicanes and quick sequences of bends. The lack of multiplayer at launch is a big miss for a racer that would benefit from that competitive kick as well, although the very idea of racing online with several others all struggling to keep it together is a frightening thought.
Still, the game manages to stay engaging. The era-based progression gives you reason to keep coming back, and unlocking new car-era combinations brings freshness even when you’re familiar with the tracks. It rewards your time without demanding crazy-level commitment. For solo racers with a love for the sport’s history and a controller in hand, there’s plenty to like. It’s not going to dethrone the heavyweights or convince folks who want full simulation realism. But if you’re looking for something different, something with character, history and fun built-in, Formula Legends is worth the drive.
Reviewed on PS5
