Shadow of the Colossus

Lore & Background

The Forbidden Lands are a sealed, ancient domain, accessible only by a single colossal bridge. At its heart stands the Shrine of Worship, a towering temple where the god Dormin dwells as a disembodied, dual-voiced entity of immense power. Dormin offers a pact: if Wander can slay all sixteen colossi—ancient guardians of stone, earth, and fur, each a unique, living monument scattered across the desolate landscape—Mono will be revived.

In Their Own Story

Wander rides his horse Agro across the long bridge into the Forbidden Lands, Mono's body cradled before him. Inside the Shrine of Worship, he lays her on a stone altar. A voice—Dormin—echoes from above, warning that the price of resurrection is steep. Wander draws his sword; the light from the blade points toward the first colossus. He rides out alone, knowing the cost, leaving Mono in the silent temple.

Reader's Guide

The story begins with Wander entering the Forbidden Lands to resurrect Mono. Dormin agrees to revive her if Wander destroys the sixteen colossi. Each colossus is a unique creature that must be climbed and stabbed at weak points. As Wander defeats colossi, he becomes more corrupted—his skin pales, black veins creep across his body. Lord Emon, a shaman, arrives with warriors to stop him, but it is too late. After the final colossus, Dormin possesses Wander's body, transforming him into a giant shadow creature. Emon casts a spell that banishes Dormin and destroys the bridge, but leaves Mono's body behind. Mono awakens and finds a horned infant in the pool at the Shrine of Worship—a sign that Wander's transformation is complete, and a cycle begins.

Did You Know?

• The game was originally conceived as a follow-up to Ico, sharing thematic and design elements.
• Each colossus has a unique name in the game's files, but none are revealed in the game itself.
• Agro, Wander's horse, has her own health bar and can be killed, though she is essential for some colossi.
• The Forbidden Lands are completely open and explorable, with no enemies other than the colossi.