Released back in 2005 and being remade with each new generation of consoles, Shadow of the Colossus is a video game that is more than just a game. It is a piece of art that explores themes of loneliness, destruction, and mystery.
At the center of the story is a young man named Wander. Very little is known about him, and he seeks to resurrect a girl who we know even less about. Is she a friend, girlfriend, sister? We don't get answers,and that is part of what makes the game stand out from many others that are packed with exposition. So what do we know about Wander after so long? Here are ten facts. Beware, spoilers are ahead and this game is a must-play if you have not done so yet.
His Cloak Resembles Same Symbol As The Sigils As The Colossi
The video game has one sigil that shows up everywhere. It has practically become a symbol of the game, as it shows Wander the weak points of each colossi he is supposed to defeat. That is where the sigil is most recognized.
For those with an eye for detail though, the sigil is also on the clothes of the few characters we see. Its on the front and back of Wander's cloak and even is faded on the dead girls' dress and Emon's cloak. As to what the symbol means to people, since they obviously are not just weak points . . . is up to only fans to guess.
His Appearance Changes With Each Four Colossi Defeated
Shadow of the Colossus has an eye for little details. The biggest foreshadow players get for Wanders' possession is the fact that his appearance slowly changes as you progress through the game. His appearance actually changes four times, as he changes each time he defeats four of the 16 colossi.
By the end, you may notice he is getting corpse-like skin, black veins, and little horns on his head.
He Appears To Be More Experienced With A Bow Than A Sword
A lot of players have noticed that Wander treats his two weapons differently. He handles his bow with a ton of confidence, even enough to shoot targets while on horseback. With a sword though, he is much more clumsy-looking.
Many fans have theorized that Wander was a skilled bowman in the past, but only just now started using the sword. This is backed by the fact that the sword he has in the game turned out to be stolen.
The Player Has Minor Control Over His Baby Form During Screen Credits
This little detail slipped past a lot of players. By the end of the game and during the credits, the girl is brought back to life and finds that Wander has been turned into a baby through the powers of Lord Emon's magic.
During the credits, you can use action buttons to make the baby cry in different ways. Players believe this is clear evidence that the baby is indeed a reincarnation of Wander.
He Is Voiced By Kenji Nojima
There was no need for dubbing in Shadow of the Colossus, as the characters spoke a made-up language. Many fans believe it is a mix of Latin and backwards Japanese.
Whatever the case my be, Wander did have a voice actor with a big resume for video games and anime. He was Keith in Shadow Hearts, Carmen in Blood+, and much more.
He Has Likely Been With Agro For A Very Long Time
Very few horses would stick around with Wander, so many fans have concluded that Agro is a long-time friend of Wander. It is easy to feel bad for Agro, as he is a horse against creatures the size of skyscrapers. In many some battles, Wander actually needs Agro to help him escape colossi attacks.
The fact that Agro does not just abandon Wander in the middle of a fight shows a major level of horse loyalty.
Very Little Is Known About His Past, And That's On Purpose
Shadow of the Colossus is a masterwork of the "show, don't tell" rule of storytelling. However, due to that, we actually know close to nothing about Wander. In a way, this list is slim pickings.
The fact is that Wander stole a special sword that could undo a colossi ritual that Lord Emon did a certain amount of time ago. It is also a fact that Wander is motivated by the love of a woman. The rest is left up to audience interpretation.
He Likely Was A Part Of Lord Emon's Tribe
While this is not out-rightly said in the game, it is a safe assumption that Wander was a member of Lord Emon's tribe. That would explain his relationship to the girl, how he knew about the sword, and how Lord Emon was able to track him down.
His Name Is In The Title Of The Japanese Version
Wander's name is never mentioned in Shadow of the Colossus, so how do we know his name? That is purely because his name is part of the Japanese title, Wander and the Colossus.
The truth of the matter is though, that might even be his real name. It is likely more of a title since he is a sort of wanderer in a strange forbidden land.
Wander's Horns Connect To ICO
Shadow of the Colossus was not Team ICOs first project. Their first was ICO, and its main protagonist is a young boy with horns. There are scattered theories as to how ICO and Shadow of the Colossus connect, but its definitely in the horns.
Wander's reincarnated baby form had horns and some fans theorize he grows up to be the kid from ICO, or that the kid is his descendant.