FAQ - Guide for Hi-Octane

                              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.


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