Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends Review

Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends is a celebration of arguably the world’s most influential car manufacturer, yet it’s this one-brand focus that creates a very niche appeal that probably won’t attract anyone other than Ferrari enthusiasts. In saying that, if you’re a fan of the Italian racing giant, you’re in for a nostalgia-filled treat.

The game’s campaign allows players to choose from three different eras of Ferrari racing – the “Golden” age between 1947-1973, the “Silver” age between 1974-1990, and the “Modern” age from 1990-2011. Hopping into a car from the “Golden” age for the first time gives players a truly unique insight into the world of racing 65 years ago. You race in the Ferrari 125 S, the very first car ever manufactured under the Ferrari name. Beginning with an old school, coffee-stained intro, players will transition into control of the car, and with the help of some beautifully vibrant visuals you really get a feel for how different cars were back then.

Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends also offers plenty of variety, in the form of 39 unique circuits and over 50 cars, spanning through 65 years of Ferrari’s rich history. You can kick back in old-school fashion with the 125 S from 1947, the nightrider-esque 308 GTBi QV from 1982, or even the brand’s high-powered, modern F1 cars.

Kick back in old-school fashion with the 125 S from 1947, the nightrider-esque 308 GTBi QV from 1982, or even the brand’s high-powered, modern F1 cars.

Slightly Mad Studios have certainly catered for fans of all ages, and their attention to detail should be commended, especially for the progression of track barriers, driver attire, and cockpit view. You can truly see the difference when using cars from each different era and Slightly Mad Studios have obviously endeavoured to make the game as authentic as possible.

Accessibility is the game’s biggest flaw, however. It doesn’t possess the fun factor found in other recent racers such as DiRT Showdown and does get stale quite quickly. Once the nostalgia-filled excitement has disappeared, it’s hard to find a reason to continue playing the game. Whilst the campaign is fun traversing through the ages, it soon becomes more of the same, just using different cars.

On that same note, if you’re new to racers, this might not be the game for you. Handling can prove extremely challenging at the best of times and many campaign events are simply far too difficult to complete. The game doesn’t offer a lot to keep you entertained for hours on end in the first place – couple this with the frustration that stems from insanely hard and repetitive challenges (such as completing a race without your car falling off the track – something a novice like myself found very difficult) and Ferrari Racing Legends errs more on the tedious than enjoyable side of things.

Ferrari Racing Legends doesn't fare too well on the multiplayer side of things, either. I was unable to find a game at all after searching several times - if you're looking at purchasing this and enjoying it online, I suggest you wait a while before doing so.

The Final Verdict

If you love cars and the Ferrari brand, you'll more than likely find a degree of enjoyment from Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends. However, if you're on the fence or new to racing games it might be best to steer clear of this one. Inaccessibility and frustrating gameplay hampers what could have been an extremely enjoyable look into the history of one of the world's most respected car-makers.

By Jake Galouzis