Okay. I finally got Hi Octane. I have been playing Wipeout for the PS
(I love it, especially with the NeGcon I just got from Joe at Tronix -
great service there), and was looking forward to Hi Octane. I thought
the PC version was O.K. on my DX4/100, but very choppy. Well, I'm not
gonna lie and say that it's super smooth on the PS. Still a little
choppy, but the graphics still look really good.  In fact, a lot of
the shading effects are really nice. 

So far...I really like it. It's like Wipeout, but with much more
combat. It appears that a lot of strategy is required for the later
tracks. From what I remember, it says there are 9 tracks (3 more than
the PC version, I believe - I may be wrong here). 

There is a two player mode (and some mode where you take turns with up
to 9(?) players - it changes after a specified period of time to
another player.) The two player mode split screen, however, I found to
be useless. I couldn't see shit. The status displays took up more than
1/4 of the screen. 

Quick summary:

Graphics: 8/10. Would have been higher if it weren't as choppy - mind
you, it's still looks good

Sound:  7/10. A little muffled on my friends stereo system. On mine, a
little less muffled, but not that bad. I liked the music (I'm into the
techno stuff)

Gameplay: 9/10. First couple of tracks were pretty tame, but it get
more fun as it gets tougher. OTOH, Wipeout, for me, was exciting from
the start.

Replay Value: 8/10. This, of course, is an estimate since I haven't
played it all the way through. There is a ghost mode.

Overall: 8.5/10. I'm one that doesn't have a problem taking back a
game I don't like (cannot find a place near me that rents), and it's a
keeper for me.