Hi Octane is yet another effort in the futuristic hover-race games
category, finding its most direct competition from psygnosis' hot Wipeout
title.  while it does have some interesting features, there are simply too
many negative points stopping this game from becoming a real keeper.

in numbers:

ORIGINALITY - 7 - although it is only one game in a category that seems to
have become a major moneymaker for the next generation consoles, this
particular style of racer is still rather new and fresh.  Hi Octane also
incorporates combat and weapons to a greater degree than Wipeout.  the
split-screen two-player option helps add a little longevity, but since you
and your opponent are automatically the same vehicle, it seems like more of
an afterthought than an exciting play option.  also, link cables are not
supported.  why?

RESPONSE - 7 - you'll find yourself drifting a little too much, even for a
hovering craft.  also, hitting an enemy with the chain gun is an altogether
ridiculous concept.  be sure to notice the disconcerting slowdown when you
start firing your chain gun, which makes scoring a shot even more
impossible.

GRAPHICS - 6 - there are many very cool features in Hi Octane in terms of
graphics alone, such as the icons for fueling and weapon recharging pits.
in addition, the atmosphere perspective, i.e., the blurring and fogging of
the horizon, is very well done, and quite realistic and believable.
however, the general graphics style of the whole game is done in that
irritating, pixellated doom-style, and it simply isn't enough when stacked
up against its nearest competition, Wipeout, whose smooth polygons and
lifelike textures blow this grainy stuff out of the water.

ANIMATION - 6 - it could be smooth, but not at this very slow rate.  at
this reduced pace, you're practically able to see the frames being swapped.

SOUND FX - 7 - everything is very muffled, which on one hand works, because
it sounds like you're in an actual vehicle, but on the other hand sucks,
because... well, you can't hear much.  however, the awesome chain gun sound
effect helps bring this score up.

MUSIC - 6 - very irritating, boring, and repetitive techno-style tracks
that, again, simply don't match up to the slickness of Wipeout's.

in practice:

on the M.A.R.C.H. scale (of IGNORE IT, RENT IT, or BUY IT)...

HI OCTANE
BULLFROG

IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE IT IGNORE IT

racing games are supposed to impart a feeling of speed, and with that in
mind, Hi Octane fails miserably.  everything moves very slowly, and even
the fastest vehicle just doesn't move fast enough.  Wipeout creates a very
dizzying effect, and realistically simulates speeds great enough to have
you leaning into the virtual corners--with racers that good on the
playstation, there's just no excuse for the lack of speed in Hi Octane.
add clumsy, clunky animation to an already slow game, and you have a dull
racer.  since the game is missing speed, which most consider to be very
central to the whole concept of racing, i find Hi Octane to be little more
than Hi Priced.