A nuclear shockwave has all but destroyed the entire population of Earth. The remaining humans on the planet were gathered aboard a ship called the Ark by a prophetic man named Noa. After the radiation dissipated, humankind emerged from the Ark and began building anew.
However, the developing civilization came under attack by a society named Gorn, the embodiment of machines and artificiality. During the nuclear winter, Gorn was sealed beneath the Earth's crust but surfaced when the remaining humans returned. Humanity must fight back against Gorn, using ancient weapons unearthed by the new civilization and two "Ultimate Destroyers" known as Kyō and Forn.
Gameplay
for normal shot, or for homing shot, and for bombs. This can be changed in the options.
Player
Players control either Kyō (Player 1) or Forn (Player 2)'s ships, each ship has two different main shot types.
Kyō
Player 1
Shot type 1 = Homing X-shot
Shot type 2 = Wave shot, follows the contours of some levels with walls
Forn
Player 2
Shot type 1 = Aiming spread shot
Shot type 2 = Laser
Stages
The game is notable for being able to change routes by pushing blocks. Some stages change the stage boss or attack method.
Stage 1: Iron Skyscraper
Normal Route Boss: Strat Guard
Alternate Route Boss: Strat Guard
Stage 2: City of Night
Normal Route Boss: Gamma Ray
Alternate Route Boss: Sprigun
Stage 3: Atlantis
Normal Route Boss: Sodom
Alternate Route Boss: Sodom
Stage 4: Earth Breaker
Normal Route Boss: Ostragle
Alternate Route Boss: Ostragle
Stage 5: Dimension Cave
Normal/Alternate Route Boss: Drad
Stage 6: Gorn LastBattle
In Final Boss background, Gorn's motto appears, "World of Technology", it is also Technosoft's slogan.
Items
Power UP
Weapon power increase 1 level. Brief period of invincibility and a powerful horizontal lightning blast after pickup.
Full Power UP
Weapon power gets maxed. Brief period of invincibility and a powerful horizontal lightning blast after pickup.
Bomb
Add bomb.
Shield Ball
Option ball that absorbs enemy bullets.
1up
Increase 1 ship.
Bonus 1
Get 1000 points.
Bonus 2
Get 5000 points.
Bonus 3
Get 100 points.
History
Apparently, an arcade version of Blast Wind was to be made before the Saturn port titled Inazuma Saber (稲妻セイバー), much like how Hyper Duel had an arcade version before the Saturn release. This arcade version was eventually shelved.
"Gorn" is one letter off from the ORN Empire from the Thunder Force series.