The Broken Seal is a special location in quadrant F8 of the Forbidden Lands, and the final save shrine. The small area can only be accessed after defeating 15 colossi, and it is necessary to go through this area to get to the sixteenth. The Broken Seal is one of the only locations in the game that has a save shrine in close proximity to the colossus.
The area gets its name from the means by which Wander is finally able to access it. Wander must open a gigantic door that previously blocked off the area by shining the sword's light onto a great seal. Doing so will trigger a short cutscene of the door opening. Since Malus is obviously the only colossus in that direction from the door (and since the colossi must be encountered in order), the area is inaccessible until all other colossi have been killed.
There is another reason the area is closed off. Beyond the final save shrine lies a dangerous bridge that will collapse when the slightest bit pressure is exerted on it. Wander cannot cross it in time on his own; he must ride Agro across. Agro, unfortunately, cannot cross in time, and must throw Wander the remaining distance.
Upon entering The Broken Seal, the player will see the save shrine to the right and a set of stairs to the left. The Broken Seal is the only location in Shadow of the Colossus in which the player will experience weather change and change in wind direction. The final battle with Malus takes place in a thunderstorm and is the only instance other than the opening cutscene and the end credits in which rain and thunder are seen.
The game | ICO ( Demo · Revisions from U.S. version · Ico HD ) | |
Characters | Ico · Yorda · The Queen · Shadows · Shinkan | |
The Castle | Idol Gates · Yorda's language · Saving Benches Altar • Warehouse • Spiral Stairs • Old Bridge • Stairs • Trolley 1 • Trolley 2 • Crane • Chandelier • Drawbridge • Main Gate • Graveyard • Dark Room • Sunbeams • Stone Pillar • East Crag • East Arena • East Idol Stairs • East Reflector • Waterfall • Sluice • Cogwheel • Gondola • Water Tower • West Crag • West Arena • West Idol Stairs • West Reflector • Cage • Pipe • Elevator • Wharf • Queen's Room • Sandy Beach | |
Other Media | Ico ~Melody in the Mist~ · Official Game Guide · Ico: Castle in the Mist |