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
