Chibi Champions: Reliving Past Glories in Formula Legends

XPN Network
Oct 3
3 min read

Ever since Italian studio 3DClouds unveiled Formula Legends, published on Xbox on September 18, 2025, it’s been billed as a playful tribute to motorsport’s past. From the moment you select your first “Ferrenzo,” it’s clear this isn’t a hyper-real sim but an affectionate chibi-styled scrapbook of four decades of Grand Prix history.

For anyone who spent Sunday afternoons glued to the TV as Michael Schumacher carved up Monza, Formula Legends offers a fast lane back to that thrill. Underneath its adorable avatars and pun-filled car names lies genuine handling depth: you’ll trail-brake, wrestle understeer, and chase apexes just like the pros, albeit with a wink and a winkingly oversized helmet.

The career mode eases you in with a handful of 1960s Grand Prix before cracking open the ’70s, ’90s, and modern eras. Winning races unlocks chassis upgrades and sponsor cash, mirroring how Schumacher climbed the ranks from Jordan to Ferrari. Time trials and weekly challenges keep you chasing ghosts of your best laps, while a lightweight championship ladder lets you feel that Sunday-driver buzz without a 40-race commitment.

You pilot 40+ pseudonymous cars, from the rickety “Lotusia 49” to the downforce-loaded “Ferrenzo 2021.” Each era feels distinct: the ’60s machines twitch under braking, demanding trail-brake finesse, while the modern cars cling to apexes with uncanny stickiness. I dug into the tuning tree and found adjusting wing angles and suspension travel added real nuance where any slight misjudge and you’ll understeer like a rookie in Brazil ’94.

Ten circuits span from archived classics including Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, to new street tracks with neon flare. Miniature marshal posts and stylized crowd banners pack each layout with enough detail to ping your memory of the ’99 European Grand Prix. Dynamic weather swings add spice: one minute you’re sun-bathing in Turkey, the next you’re aquaplaning through an unexpected downpour at Suzuka.

Under arcade gloss, there’s real teeth. Cars feel light on their wheels, so you’ll catch yourself instinctively modulating throttle mid-corner like you once watched Michael jockey his Ferrari 2001 through Ascari. Collisions can still surprise you, a light tap might twirl you into a spin meaning you need to learn to race smart and anticipate AI late-brakers. It’s forgiving enough for couch-drivers yet deep enough that mastering trail braking and throttle steering feels legitimately rewarding.

Engine notes roar with unexpected fidelity: the high-rev whine of a 1990s V10 practically vibrates through your headset. Ambient crowd chants and period-correct radio chatter sprinkle in Easter eggs, your engineer might quip “That’s pure Schumacher pace” if you string together clean laps. The soundtrack leans on pulsing synths that wouldn’t feel out of place in a late-’80s arcade, framing each stint with nostalgic flair.

Formula Legends runs at a rock-solid 60fps in performance mode, even when the field brawls into turn 1. Load times hover around 10 seconds, so you’re never stuck in the pits. Occasional texture pop-ins show in distant grandstands, but they never pull you out of the action.

Scattered throughout career events are nods to Schumacher’s milestones: an arcade-style replay after your first podium mirrors his 1994 win at Spa, complete with celebratory fireworks. Collectible driver cards include caricatures of the Greatest Ever and unlocking the “Fearless German” adds a special head-nod animation on the grid, and then there's all the nods to other classic drivers too!

Pros:

Rich, era-spanning roster with nuanced tuning trees
Charming chibi art style that still conveys genuine speed
Deep handling mechanics rewarding skillful inputs
Nostalgia-laced audio and Easter eggs
Smooth performance and quick transitions on Xbox Series X

Cons:

AI aggression can feel random and unforgiving
No multiplayer at launch dampens replay longevity
Minor visual hiccups in distant scenery

If you’re after a breezy way to relive the golden Schumacher years without diving into full sim territory, Formula Legends offers a unique pit stop. It won’t dethrone the big-budget racers, but for casual couch-drivers craving a nostalgic burst of F1 flair, it nails the podium finish.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)