jp
01-17-2007, 02:43 AM
If you've been on very many message boards with me or read any post I've made concerning my favorite 2D shooters, then you already know how I feel about Blast Wind.
If you haven't been privy to that info, then I will tell you right now that I love Blast Wind. Its one of my all time favorite games ever made. And now, I'm going to explain why.
The plot is pretty cool. You pilot one of the Ultimate Destroyer ships, which are ships that came down from space to help the peaceful nature loving inhabitants of earth fight the evil Gorn empire thats slowly destroying the world with their technology. And... thats about it.
Gameplay is pretty cool and changes drastically pending on if you're playing as the 1P ship (blue) or the 2P ship (red). If you're the blue ship, you're treated to an awesome main shot that trails along any borders it comes to, as well as a secondary shot that is a very powerful homing shot. Granted, the game is stupid easy with this ship, and if you're good at 2D shooters at all you should be able to 1CC this in no time (I did on my second play through if I recall correctly). The red ship though, is a lot less powerful. Its main shot is a cool looking laser (when powered up, otherwise its just twin bullets), but its kinda weak compared to the blue ship's half-moon shots. And the secondary shot? A very weak spread shot that can be aimed. So if you want a challenge, feel free to either pump up the difficulty or play as the 2P... or do both.
Graphically, Blast Wind produces the crisp 2D graphics we all love from the Saturn. For a 2D shooter, it looks very nice considering the era (think more processor power behind a 16-bit 2D shooter and better sprites).
Music is where the game truly shines though. The soundtrack is AMAZING and to this day I am yet to hear a soundtrack that competes. The entire game's soundtrack keeps you pumped, and once you hit the final boss the music pumps you up to infinity!!! Very nice!
The gameplay is simple. Blast Wind doesn't have a complex scoring system or chaining or anything that. Basically, you kill the bad guys, collect bombs (which max out at 6), collect power-ups (collecting a blue one powers you up once or gives you 3000pts. if you're maxed, a red powers you all the way and gives you 5000pts. if you're maxed), collect a neat little shield that you can move around your ship to block bullets, collect point icons (1000 for $, 5000 for *), and collect coins. For every 100 coins you collect, a 1UP icon will appear that you can collect. You also get a 1UP every so many points. At the end of each level, your bomb total is tallied and multiplied and you get points from clearing the level (so maxed bombs is good). At the end of the game your bomb count is tallied as is your stock (which is where a shit ton of points can come from, SO DON'T DIE!).
Blast Wind offers something unique though in the form of branching paths. Each level has a switch you can push with your ship that will alter the path of the level. In several cases, this leads to completely different boss fights!! But in all cases it leads to a completely different level, so the replay value is definitely there.
The designs in the game are all cool too. Enemies are varied and look VERY awesome. The levels are very well made too as are the backgrounds. And the Destroyers just look bad ass. Very good stuff.
Blast Wind is a (sorry) blast! Its a very fun game with good graphics, a kick ass soundtrack, and some very nice replay value. I would highly recommend it.
Screen shots from my crappy cellphone! :SM14
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b1.jpg
When you grab a power-up it makes you invincible temporarily and shoots lightning out the sides of your ship for maximum destruction!! (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b2.jpg
Star medal points! Worth 5000pts a piece. (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b10.jpg
This is what I mean by "the main shot trails along the walls". (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b3.jpg
One of the level 1 bosses. (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b4.jpg
If I hit that switch I go down a completely different path! (as the arrows indicate) (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b5.jpg
Homing shot in action. (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b6.jpg
This level 2 boss looks mean, but he's not so bad once you get to know him. Or rather, his patterns. Heh. (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b7.jpg
Hurray for the main shot! And level 3 looks cool! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b8.jpg
More pimp usage of the main shot! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b11.jpg
POINTS BITCHES! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b9.jpg
I done pissed off this level 3 boss! :O (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b12.jpg
Things start getting hectic in level 4. (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b13.jpg
Maximum Coinage! (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b14.jpg
This level 4 boss is one of the few things that kills me fairly consistently. Its always just once though. But still... :SM9 (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b15.jpg
Level 5 starts off cool... (level 5)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b16.jpg
Don't let people fool you, Blast Wind has its tight spots! (level 5)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b17.jpg
Quick glance at the final level... (level 6)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b18.jpg
To fight the final boss you gotta get through this guy and his giant ass laser sword first!!!!! (level 6)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b20.jpg
Look! Its the red ship! With its laser! (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b21.jpg
I much prefer a badass homing shot... (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b22.jpg
Red ship vs. the OTHER level 1 boss.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b19.jpg
I like this game a little bit if you can't tell. :D
Next up: Hyper Duel!!
If you haven't been privy to that info, then I will tell you right now that I love Blast Wind. Its one of my all time favorite games ever made. And now, I'm going to explain why.
The plot is pretty cool. You pilot one of the Ultimate Destroyer ships, which are ships that came down from space to help the peaceful nature loving inhabitants of earth fight the evil Gorn empire thats slowly destroying the world with their technology. And... thats about it.
Gameplay is pretty cool and changes drastically pending on if you're playing as the 1P ship (blue) or the 2P ship (red). If you're the blue ship, you're treated to an awesome main shot that trails along any borders it comes to, as well as a secondary shot that is a very powerful homing shot. Granted, the game is stupid easy with this ship, and if you're good at 2D shooters at all you should be able to 1CC this in no time (I did on my second play through if I recall correctly). The red ship though, is a lot less powerful. Its main shot is a cool looking laser (when powered up, otherwise its just twin bullets), but its kinda weak compared to the blue ship's half-moon shots. And the secondary shot? A very weak spread shot that can be aimed. So if you want a challenge, feel free to either pump up the difficulty or play as the 2P... or do both.
Graphically, Blast Wind produces the crisp 2D graphics we all love from the Saturn. For a 2D shooter, it looks very nice considering the era (think more processor power behind a 16-bit 2D shooter and better sprites).
Music is where the game truly shines though. The soundtrack is AMAZING and to this day I am yet to hear a soundtrack that competes. The entire game's soundtrack keeps you pumped, and once you hit the final boss the music pumps you up to infinity!!! Very nice!
The gameplay is simple. Blast Wind doesn't have a complex scoring system or chaining or anything that. Basically, you kill the bad guys, collect bombs (which max out at 6), collect power-ups (collecting a blue one powers you up once or gives you 3000pts. if you're maxed, a red powers you all the way and gives you 5000pts. if you're maxed), collect a neat little shield that you can move around your ship to block bullets, collect point icons (1000 for $, 5000 for *), and collect coins. For every 100 coins you collect, a 1UP icon will appear that you can collect. You also get a 1UP every so many points. At the end of each level, your bomb total is tallied and multiplied and you get points from clearing the level (so maxed bombs is good). At the end of the game your bomb count is tallied as is your stock (which is where a shit ton of points can come from, SO DON'T DIE!).
Blast Wind offers something unique though in the form of branching paths. Each level has a switch you can push with your ship that will alter the path of the level. In several cases, this leads to completely different boss fights!! But in all cases it leads to a completely different level, so the replay value is definitely there.
The designs in the game are all cool too. Enemies are varied and look VERY awesome. The levels are very well made too as are the backgrounds. And the Destroyers just look bad ass. Very good stuff.
Blast Wind is a (sorry) blast! Its a very fun game with good graphics, a kick ass soundtrack, and some very nice replay value. I would highly recommend it.
Screen shots from my crappy cellphone! :SM14
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b1.jpg
When you grab a power-up it makes you invincible temporarily and shoots lightning out the sides of your ship for maximum destruction!! (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b2.jpg
Star medal points! Worth 5000pts a piece. (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b10.jpg
This is what I mean by "the main shot trails along the walls". (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b3.jpg
One of the level 1 bosses. (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b4.jpg
If I hit that switch I go down a completely different path! (as the arrows indicate) (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b5.jpg
Homing shot in action. (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b6.jpg
This level 2 boss looks mean, but he's not so bad once you get to know him. Or rather, his patterns. Heh. (level 2)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b7.jpg
Hurray for the main shot! And level 3 looks cool! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b8.jpg
More pimp usage of the main shot! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b11.jpg
POINTS BITCHES! (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b9.jpg
I done pissed off this level 3 boss! :O (level 3)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b12.jpg
Things start getting hectic in level 4. (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b13.jpg
Maximum Coinage! (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b14.jpg
This level 4 boss is one of the few things that kills me fairly consistently. Its always just once though. But still... :SM9 (level 4)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b15.jpg
Level 5 starts off cool... (level 5)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b16.jpg
Don't let people fool you, Blast Wind has its tight spots! (level 5)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b17.jpg
Quick glance at the final level... (level 6)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b18.jpg
To fight the final boss you gotta get through this guy and his giant ass laser sword first!!!!! (level 6)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b20.jpg
Look! Its the red ship! With its laser! (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b21.jpg
I much prefer a badass homing shot... (level 1)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b22.jpg
Red ship vs. the OTHER level 1 boss.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/Blast%20Wind/b19.jpg
I like this game a little bit if you can't tell. :D
Next up: Hyper Duel!!