It's almost as if it's a quick and easy implementation to just add a different player sprite and set all the heart container flags at start instead of having modifiers for enemies.
Would have liked an extra mode with reworked enemy patterns, placement, bosses, levels to create an optional intense new experience...
Maybe something like Kero Blaster did...
Too bad Wind Fortress wasn't a whole new campaign/expansion/game instead...
but it is way too difficult, I can agree