I’ve racked up more laps in racing games than a NASCAR veteran—from the gritty realism of F1 2024 to the wild chaos of Crash Team Racing—so Formula Legends hit my radar as a fresh contender. Will it stay in my stable of racing games, or will I just garage it forever?
Read on to find out
Put together by a scrappy team led by former pro racer Francesco Bruschi, this single-player F1 tribute mixes deep nostalgia with easy-to-pick-up action. Now that it’s out as of September 18, 2025, I’ve sunk serious time into the full PS5 release, and it delivers a “sim-lite” vibe that’s like Art of Rally cranked up with Formula One’s high-stakes drama.
Gameplay: Racing Across the Decades
Formula Legends nails the essence of F1’s wild ride through history, putting you in the driver’s seat of over 100 dead-ringer cars from the brutal ’60s bruisers to today’s high-tech missiles. The physics shift authentically by era: old-school machines demand a light touch on the gas to avoid spinning out on sketchy grip, while modern ones bring in aero tricks and tire wear for those clutch strategy calls. The revamped tracks—iconic layouts with a fun, stylized spin—feel both familiar and exciting, and the AI drivers are the real MVPs. They battle hard for position, mix up their lines, and even mess up now and then, making every race feel like a live showdown instead of a scripted snooze.
Pit stops add real depth without overwhelming you, with tire management and fuel plays shining in longer hauls. The third-person camera amps up the arcade energy, complete with goofy, scrambled driver names (a clever sidestep around licensing) and a story mode that relives F1’s biggest moments. It’s approachable for casual gamers but ramps up the challenge quick, rewarding slick passes and smart risks. Sure, the AI could use a tiny bit more variety in the long run, but it’s solid out of the gate. This one’s built for quick sessions or all-night marathons, though no multiplayer means it’s strictly a solo affair.
Graphics and Sound: Retro Vibes with Next-Gen Punch
On the PS5, Formula Legends looks sharp with its colorful, cartoonish style that channels classic arcade racers while tapping into the console’s horsepower for rock-solid 60fps and rich details. Tracks explode with bold team colors and changing weather, and the car models capture those era-specific quirks without going overboard on realism. It pulls ahead of the PS4 version in sharpness and distance, but if you’re chasing Gran Turismo 7‘s photo-perfect look, this one’s more about fun flair than hardcore accuracy.
The sound seals the deal: engines growl just right for each period, from thundering V12s to screaming turbos, yanking you right into the nostalgia. The soundtrack’s a killer mix of pumping electronic beats and era-appropriate jams, keeping the adrenaline flowing lap after lap.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The era-jumping career mode is a game-changer, making you wonder why nobody did this sooner for F1 fans.
- Killer AI and evolving handling keep races intense and replayable.
- Strikes a sweet spot between easy fun and real depth, perfect for rookies and pros alike.
- Those clever nods to history—like spot-on cars and drivers—add tons of charm without the official stamps.
Cons:
- No online or co-op options cut down on replay value for group play.
- A few mechanics feel like they could get one more tweak for perfection.
- The stylized graphics might not click with folks wanting ultra-realism.
- Skipping the real F1 branding could bum out the purists.
Conclusion
Formula Legends is a solid win for PS5 racing fans, especially if you’re over the annual sim grind and craving a hit of old-school magic. Blending history, smarts, and straight-up fun, it’s a must-grab for anyone with a passion for pixelated checkered flags or F1’s legendary saga. Not a total revolution, but Bruschi’s racing know-how shines through, making this a potential sleeper hit. Snag it if you’re itching to chase glory through the ages—it’s already revving up my playlist.
7
Formula Legends review code provided by publisher and reviewed on a PS5. For more information on scoring, please read What our review scores really mean.
