by Erik Setser

Created on: May 23, 2009

A duality existing as a singularity, Shadow of the Colossus is as complex as it is simplistic, as enigmatic as it is straight-forward. What we see of a story line is minimal, enough to get us behind the Hero's cause, but much is left to the imagination. As a result, this has sparked a wildfire of debates with all parties involved insisting that their perspective is absolute fact.

Story:

In the beginning, we're presented with a young man riding horseback over a wooded mountain, a maiden laying limply across his lap. The three cross a monumentally long and towering bridge over a desert basin, heading towards a temple in the distance. Once inside the temple, he approaches a sun-dappled altar and sets the woman upon it.

An amalgamation of voices speaks to him from above, asking why he has come to such a forsaken place. The Hero (who is unnamed in the game though referred to as Wander or The Wanderer, because he's remembered for his actions rather than his name) explains that the woman was unjustly killed because of a cursed fate and that he wishes to resurrect her. Herein lies the first mystery. Who is this woman to him? Is she a loved one or relative, meaning he's out to save her? Or is he one of the templars charged with executing her to stop the curse, meaning he's actually saving himself?

After a bit of discussion about the nature of death with Dormin, the collaborative spirit of the temple, and Wander presenting a sword of particular interest to them, a deal is made. Before human clergymen deemed the land forsaken, they fragmented Dormin's power, rendering them incapable of resurrecting the dead. Statues depicting various beasts line the walls of the temple. Dormin explains that their power is locked within them, and thus they must be destroyed. No blade can notch them though, necessitating a different approach.

For each statue, there is a Colossus of comparable form, both roaming and comprised of the landscape. Killing these, a task which requires the aforementioned sword, will break the correlating statue. Dormin warns that Wander is putting himself at great risk if he accepts the agreement. This, of course, doesn't stop Wander, but the shudder in his voice does indicate that he is realistically unsettled.

Thus, Wander sets out on his horse Agro in search of the first of sixteen Colossi.

After every fourth Colossi, we're presented with a brief cut scene progressing the story. In one, we see that he is being pursued by templars and clergymen, giving

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