Hi-Octane FAQ 1.1 by Wendell Martin Revised 8/18/96 INTRODUCTION Hi-Octane is a hovercraft racing/combat game by Bullfrog. While there are also PC and Sega Saturn versions, this FAQ currently focuses on the Sony PlayStation version (for the simple reason that it's the one I have ). Gamers' feelings about this game vary greatly (it came out around the same time as WipeOut, and WipeOut is stiff competition indeed). Searching newsgroup archives, it's possible to find posts from some who love the game, from some who hate it, and every position in-between. As for me, I bought a used copy for $30, and I'm happy with what I got for my money. There is no background information given on the game's universe, or your place in it. There's also no FMV introduction; the game just starts. The goal of the game varies depending on how you configure it. You can go for the best combination of finishing position and kills in a single race, race against your own best times in Clone Mode, race a Championship season, or go into Death Match mode and simply try to blow the other vehicles away. There's a choice of two control setups, the volume of the music and sound effects are separately adjustable, and the skill and number of AI drivers is selectable (0-7 opponents at skill 0-3). Up to eight can play, using a Hot Seat option where players hand off the controller to each other when prompted. More realistically, two can play head-to-head via a split-screen view (it's somewhat jerky and cramped, but playable with a bit of effort). There is no link-cable support. While racing, you may fire at your opponents with a minigun (which has infinite ammo, though it needs to cool off after prolonged firing), or with a limited supply of missiles. You can increase your speed by charging your booster, but this uses up lots of fuel. You may choose an in-cockpit view, or an external, above-and-behind view (at one of three ranges). The HUD is a bit complex-looking at first, but is easily learned. There is an active map in the bottom corner of the screen, so you may keep track of your location and where your opponents are. The graphics are extensively texture-mapped and are usually pretty smooth, though the pop-up/draw-in is somewhat greater than in other PlayStation racing games. TRACKS There are nine tracks in the game, and you can choose the number of laps for single races (1-50). The tracks range from simple ovals to complex affairs with alternate branches and hidden areas. Some sections are "alive" and morph in real-time. It's generally worthwhile and enjoyable to make a low-speed exploration of each track. Placed about the tracks are "pit stops" with one or more of refueling, rearming, and reshielding/repair stations. Various power-ups are scattered around the tracks, some of which upgrade your minigun, rockets, and boost ability or provide invincibility, and others which refuel, rearm, or reshield you (these are also released when a vehicle is destroyed). Repair craft roam the track, refueling vehicles that run out of fuel and placing "killed" craft back on the track (these operations take a fair amount of time, though). The Tracks (with default/championship number of laps) 1. Amazon Delta Turnpike (11) 6. Thrak City (5) 2. Trans-Asia Interstate (8) 7. Ancient Mine Town (6) 3. Shanghai Dragon (9) 8. Arctic Land (6) 4. New Chernobyl Center (8) 9. Death Match Arena (10) 5. Slam Canyon (9) VEHICLES There are six types of racing craft with different characteristics, and you may choose the color (depending on which of eight teams you race for). The vehicle designs are quite varied, and range from the sleek to the boxy. The Vehicles and Their Characteristics KD-1 Speeder Speed: 6 Weight: 5 Armor: 4 Firepower: 5 Berserker Speed: 3 Weight: 6 Armor: 6 Firepower: 6 Jugga Speed: 4 Weight: 6 Armor: 5 Firepower: 5 Vampyr Speed: 6 Weight: 6 Armor: 4 Firepower: 4 Outrider Speed: 8 Weight: 4 Armor: 3 Firepower: 5 Flexwing Speed: 8 Weight: 4 Armor: 4 Firepower: 4 The Teams (with their colors) Mad Medicine (white) DethFest (blue) Bullfrog (green) Foo Fighters (yellow) Storm Riders (purple) Gorehounds (red) Fire Phreaks (orange) Assassins (black) Computer Players and Their Vehicles 1. Barnsy Berserker 5. McLalin Flexwing 2. Shuntly Jugga 6. Mad KD-1 3. Copse Vampyr 7. Atrow Berserker 4. Manny Outrider CHEATS I know of no built-in codes. David Smith's PlayStation Monster Secrets contains the following Game Shark codes (I haven't verified them, since I don't have a Game Shark): Infinite fuel Infinite shield Infinite ammo 80160EEA 27FF 80160EEE 27FF 80160EEC 27FF 801614BA 27FF 801614BE 27FF 801614BC 27FF 801616AA 27FF 801616AE 27FF 801616AC 27FF 801610DA 27FF 801610DE 27FF 801610DC 27FF 80160CFA 27FF 80160CFE 27FF 80160CFC 27FF Max minigun Max missiles Maximum boost 8015CDCE 0003 8015CD6A 0003 8015CD06 0003 80158FB2 0003 80158F4E 0003 80158EEA 0003 8015958E 0003 8015952A 0003 801594C6 0003 8015719E 0003 8015713A 0003 801594C6 0003 8015790A 0003 801578A6 0003 80157842 0003 80158B02 0003 80158A9E 0003 80158A3A 0003 801596BA 0003 80159656 0003 801595F2 0003 80159142 0003 801590DE 0003 8015907A 0003 Minigun coolant No on-screen damage 8015CDAE 0000 80160EA0 0000 80159F92 0000 80161470 0000 8015956E 0000 80161660 0000 8015717E 0000 80161090 0000 801578EA 0000 80160CB0 0000 80158AE2 0000 8015969A 0000 80159122 0000 If you have corrections or additions to this FAQ, please e-mail me and I'll implement them with credit. The latest version of this FAQ can be found via my home page. wendell@bham.net http://www.bham.net/users/wendell