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I had read that shadow leaves your party after you beat the game. So, now I'm worried that I'll lose my favorite character due to a plot device! So -- is there a continuation of the game after you beat kefka? Will I lose shadow if there is?

Once you beat Angelic Kefka, the final form of the final boss, the game is over. There's a little bit in the ending about Shadow

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

essentially staying behind to die

but there's nothing else to do after that: the game is over.

This post has been edited by Death Penalty on 23rd February 2009 03:18

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Ack. I can't hilight cuz I'm on an itouch. Oh well. I didn't wanna spoil the ending anywHe.

well thats not completely the case. Depending on whcih version you're playing. If you're playing the snes or PS1 version, then ya theres nothing to do when u beat it.

But if u playing gba version, then after you beat the game, theres the choice of Soul Shrine, or wuv its called. Plus the Dragons den is available by now

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Kefka's Message of the week: Get off your couch noobs and get my new game Dissidia 012

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But if u playing gba version, then after you beat the game, theres the choice of Soul Shrine, or wuv its called. Plus the Dragons den is available by now

Which doesn't make sense, since Shadow does

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

apparently die by staying back on Kefka's tower

in the GBA version. Anyone have any idea why he does this? What really happened in the dreams he has. Could that be the issue or somethin? I just heard about him having some dreams or wtvr, but I never saw them in the game, and I've beaten the game. I have the GBA version. Might that the problem?

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Relm: What's wrong, lover boy?
Edgar: How old are you?
Relm: 10, why?
Edgar: -sweatdrop- Wait 8 years for me.
Relm: -pulls out a very large paint brush- Why wait? We can have fun with this. -winks-
Edgar: ...What kind of kid ARE you?!
-DDRFreakKuya's post in the "Things They'd NEVER Say in FFVI" Forum

Quote (Paladin777 @ 23rd March 2009 22:33)

Which doesn't make sense, since Shadow does

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

apparently die by staying back on Kefka's tower

in the GBA version. Anyone have any idea why he does this? What really happened in the dreams he has. Could that be the issue or somethin? I just heard about him having some dreams or wtvr, but I never saw them in the game, and I've beaten the game. I have the GBA version. Might that the problem?

But you can also use magic at the Soul Shrine and challenge Kefka again, so its more like before the final fight but you get to keep the items, exp and money for some weird reason.

The Sadow thing bothers me tons. Just why did he do that?

There's nothing new in the advance version. If I remember correctly he says something about stop running and tells Baram to welcome him, not different from the SNES one I think. You can catch all the dreams on youtube, they're mainly Shadows backstory. But I'm still not happy if those are the reason.

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

He probably feels regretful for what he did to his friend.

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After all thsoe years of running, the burden might have just been to greta for him anymore. Not just that but what better oppurtunity to kill yourself, than to say, "Oops I tripped and now can't continue on, so I'll just die here"

It'd have been funny if he said that. But something that bugged me more than his suppose death, was what about poor little relm? Shadow never told her his secret

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Kefka's Message of the week: Get off your couch noobs and get my new game Dissidia 012

SPOILERS, I'm dropping the tags because I think everyone here knows what it's being discussed.

What bothers me is that he's going against the game's theme. I felt that the game was trying to tell us something quite different from others. While normally the final confrontation is full of “I'll die fighting for the people/ideals I love”, FF6 turns it around and says “I'll LIVE for the people/ideals I love” which is a bigger blast to Kefka, he wanted to END things.

Terra was ready to sacrifice her life for the better of the world, but she lived anyways, she lived because she loved.

After a suicide attempt Celes recovers hope because of Locke's bandanna. She doesn't try to kill herself anymore, she now has someone to love.

Shadow is all “Screw it man, my sins weight too much and I already played the hero so it's time to go!” Why now, why not before? Ok, he was finding a way to redeem himself. He did, so whats the point of ending his life now? What about Relm? Heck, what about Interceptor? Aren't they worthy of being his reason to live? Is Baram that much more important? Aren't you a badass Shadow? Then be badass enough to face your past and continue the road.

Beh!, sorry for the rant. I always say happy endings are boring and when I stumble upon one that has a little stain I go nuts.


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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

Quote (Sandyboots @ 28th March 2009 17:04)

SPOILERS, I'm dropping the tags because I think everyone here knows what it's being discussed.

What bothers me is that he's going against the game's theme. I felt that the game was trying to tell us something quite different from others. While normally the final confrontation is full of “I'll die fighting for the people/ideals I love”, FF6 turns it around and says “I'll LIVE for the people/ideals I love” which is a bigger blast to Kefka, he wanted to END things.

Terra was ready to sacrifice her life for the better of the world, but she lived anyways, she lived because she loved.

After a suicide attempt Celes recovers hope because of Locke's bandanna. She doesn't try to kill herself anymore, she now has someone to love.

Shadow is all “Screw it man, my sins weight too much and I already played the hero so it's time to go!” Why now, why not before? Ok, he was finding a way to redeem himself. He did, so whats the point of ending his life now? What about Relm? Heck, what about Interceptor? Aren't they worthy of being his reason to live? Is Baram that much more important? Aren't you a badass Shadow? Then be badass enough to face your past and continue the road.

Beh!, sorry for the rant. I always say happy endings are boring and when I stumble upon one that has a little stain I go nuts.

Once again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Well, first off, none of us really know if he dies or not, we just see him stop running as the camera cuts away. The game lets you infer what happens, and since the rest of them could survive the airship crash during the Cataclysm, there's a possibility he survives.

I don't think that this goes against the themes of the game. His dialogue indicates that he has made a change in his life. Rather than running from his problems, he would stand there and face them, even if that means death. And just because the others had hope to continue on, doesn't mean he must do the same thing in order to keep with the themes of the game. This is just another message, another theme, and perhaps the tragedy of the game. His entire is story is tragic.

This to me adds to the realism of the game, because not every person in the game is the same, so not every character has the same amount of hope, or the same kind of hope.


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Praise Be To Helix!

Quote (BlitzSage @ 29th March 2009 23:50)

Once again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Well, first off, none of us really know if he dies or not, we just see him stop running as the camera cuts away. The game lets you infer what happens, and since the rest of them could survive the airship crash during the Cataclysm, there's a possibility he survives.

I don't think that this goes against the themes of the game. His dialogue indicates that he has made a change in his life. Rather than running from his problems, he would stand there and face them, even if that means death. And just because the others had hope to continue on, doesn't mean he must do the same thing in order to keep with the themes of the game. This is just another message, another theme, and perhaps the tragedy of the game. His entire is story is tragic.

And SPOILERS once more.

It doesn't matter if he survives the falling tower, the fact still stands that he had all the intention of dying.

SNES: “Baram! I'm going to stop running. I'm going to begin all over again.”

GBA:“Baram... it looks like I can finally stop running...Come and find me all right?”

Lina Darkstar translation: “Hey, Billy. Looks like I don’t have to run anymore. Give me a warm welcome, willya?”

Ok, the SNES version isn't clear, but this is the same version that translated Celes' suicide attempt as the “leap of faith”.

How is Baram going to find him if one of them is still alive? How does it help to face his problems to stand in the middle of a collapsing tower? His history is tragic, yes, but who's else isn't? Others found a resolution, their reason to live. That means that Shadow doesn't have one. I repeat, what about his daughter?, is she that annoying? XD joking.

“Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go...? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all!”

Life, dreams, hope... love. For me, those were the game's themes.

You're probably right, it's just that it frustrates me that I don't understand what's going on with Shadow's head.

Quote (BlitzSage)

This to me adds to the realism of the game, because not every person in the game is the same, so not every character has the same amount of hope, or the same kind of hope

Completely agree in there.

Edit: Woops!, Shadow doesn't say the same in both versions.

This post has been edited by Sandyboots on 30th March 2009 16:07

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

Oh, I didn't know that, cause I've never finished the Adv. version before. OK.

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Praise Be To Helix!

Spoilers:

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Quote (Sandyboots @ 30th March 2009 04:41)

I repeat, what about his daughter?, is she that annoying? XD joking.

Wait, does Shadow know that Relm is his daughter?

Oh well, at least Shadow is usable after the end of the game, thankfully.

Quote (Gigantuar @ 3rd April 2009 14:18)

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Wait, does Shadow know that Relm is his daughter?

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

Considering Relm was old enough to talk when Shadow left, I like to think he at least remembers her name.

And when he saves everyone at the burning house, I also like to think he did it for her more than for Interceptor. But who knows, the guy confuses the heck out of me.

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

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Shadow is all “Screw it man, my sins weight too much and I already played the hero so it's time to go!” Why now, why not before? Ok, he was finding a way to redeem himself. He did, so whats the point of ending his life now? What about Relm? Heck, what about Interceptor? Aren't they worthy of being his reason to live? Is Baram that much more important? Aren't you a badass Shadow? Then be badass enough to face your past and continue the road.

Well, considering that Shadow was a ruthless mercenary after Baram died, between the horrible stuff he did during that time and when he was with Baram, he probably felt terrible for all of the ruthless stuff he did.

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Quote (Tryscal The Great @ 4th April 2009 14:43)

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Shadow is all “Screw it man, my sins weight too much and I already played the hero so it's time to go!” Why now, why not before? Ok, he was finding a way to redeem himself. He did, so whats the point of ending his life now? What about Relm? Heck, what about Interceptor? Aren't they worthy of being his reason to live? Is Baram that much more important? Aren't you a badass Shadow? Then be badass enough to face your past and continue the road.

Well, considering that Shadow was a ruthless mercenary after Baram died, between the horrible stuff he did during that time and when he was with Baram, he probably felt terrible for all of the ruthless stuff he did.

Yeah, that sounds a lot like his character. It's not, "what would you do?" it's "what would the character do?" I always play the game that way, and this seems ike he could do that, you know, give up.

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Praise Be To Helix!

Quote (BlitzSage @ 4th April 2009 22:04)

Yeah, that sounds a lot like his character. It's not, "what would you do?" it's "what would the character do?" I always play the game that way, and this seems ike he could do that, you know, give up.

Thank you. That's what I was getting at. He gave up, his past overwhelmed him and he couldn't continue anymore. He found what was behind him darker than the light he could or couldn't find ahead of him. Now that I think about it, he's kind of the anti-Cecil.

Of course I like to play the same way you do, trying to think like the characters instead of myself, if not, rpgs would be hella boring. But is also truth you can empathize in different grades with each one of them.

I'm going to use other character for my example to not hang on poor Shadow.
You get to WOR Mobliz, “Terra, fight with us, the world needs you”, “Nu-hu, the children need me more”. Some people think that Terra was being selfish because she didn't want to fight, that her emotions made her weak. Even if I don't agree, I can see where they're coming from, maternal love is a hard thing to grasp.

I'm just saying different kind of people will find it easier to bond with different kind of characters. To summarize, Shadow and I just don't click, no matter how hard I try to get in his head. I know why he did what he did, I know his reasons, I know his past, I know he has a heavy burden, I know he feels the need to run away. But I still don't get it, in a more subconscious kind of way. Yeah, sorry for the rant, I don't even know if I made sense.

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

Quote (Sandyboots @ 6th April 2009 04:18)

I'm just saying different kind of people will find it easier to bond with different kind of characters. To summarize, Shadow and I just don't click, no matter how hard I try to get in his head. I know why he did what he did, I know his reasons, I know his past, I know he has a heavy burden, I know he feels the need to run away. But I still don't get it, in a more subconscious kind of way. Yeah, sorry for the rant, I don't even know if I made sense.

I don't think you're supposed to get it. You're supposed to wonder, "who would just give up like that?" I think that is what makes him such an interesting character, because he is motivated by something even we can't fathom. We sit back and think,

Possible spoilers: highlight to view

"why would he give up? Yeah he lost his friend, but he has a daughter, and how could he leave her behind?" This is a tragedy that makes him one of the best characters in the game.

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Now that I think about it, he's kind of the anti-Cecil.

This has been one of my theories for a long time, I've always thought of Cecil and Shadow created a line of dark characters. You have Cecil (IV), Shadow (VI), Cloud (VII), and Squall (VIII). All of them are kind of alike in certain ways. They seem to be dark, anti-social, and have sort of a deathwish.

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Praise Be To Helix!

My theory as to why he stopped running is that he had taken too much damage in the final battle and was losing conciousnesnes and none of the others really gave a damn/ran out of MP Pheonix down potions and there was'nt a handy bed to sleep in and restore his health.

By the way why does everyone refer to them as Pheonix Downs It should just be Pheonix Down like the soft insulatory feathers on a bird.

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Quote (R8.50 Mango @ 26th June 2009 12:50)

My theory as to why he stopped running is that he had taken too much damage in the final battle and was losing conciousnesnes and none of the others really gave a damn/ran out of MP Pheonix down potions and there was'nt a handy bed to sleep in and restore his health.

By the way why does everyone refer to them as Pheonix Downs It should just be Pheonix Down like the soft insulatory feathers on a bird.

Well, maybe that's what they meant. You take the downfeathers of a phoenix and it heals you. As to your theory, the only problem with it is if he was chosen somewhere further down the list, meaning that he didn't fight. You have to pick Locke, Celes and Terra first. They are the main protagonists. Then you have to choose the Figaro bros and Cyan. They are all cool and noble and stuff. Shadow couldn't be in front because he barely cares for his own self, why would he want to be the first to jump into battle?

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Praise Be To Helix!

Quote (R8.50 Mango @ 26th June 2009 12:50)

My theory as to why he stopped running is that he had taken too much damage in the final battle and was losing conciousnesnes and none of the others really gave a damn/ran out of MP Pheonix down potions and there was'nt a handy bed to sleep in and restore his health.

I don't know, Shadow sounds like he is staying there willingly. Besides if the other guys didn't care, there's always Interceptor, and Shadow told him to go away.

That reminded me of this .

Quote (BlitzSage)

As to your theory, the only problem with it is if he was chosen somewhere further down the list, meaning that he didn't fight. You have to pick Locke, Celes and Terra first. They are the main protagonists. Then you have to choose the Figaro bros and Cyan. They are all cool and noble and stuff. Shadow couldn't be in front because he barely cares for his own self, why would he want to be the first to jump into battle?

I believe the list goes like the order in the shops or in the choose your team. Meaning it goes Terra, Locke, Cyan, Shadow, Edgar, Sabin, Celes, etc.. Why are they programmed like that? Who knows, my theory is that at an early stage Cyan and Shadow were going to join the party before the others. Or are you talking about plot importance?

As for the other point, Shadow saved your team in Thamasa and risked his life to try to stop Kefka in the Floating Continent while the rest of the party run for their lives. It's just that he doesn't let anybody know that he actually cares in order to keep his icy shield up.


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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

What really bugs me about shadow is how he uses me to get money and runs off after a few fights and not worries if i need him or not.

I want to get his magic up in the world of balance but it is impossible to level shadows magic up because he runs off.

Moderator Edit

That's great, but it really has nothing to do with Shadow's part in the ending. You know, like the topic is supposed to be. -R51

This post has been edited by Rangers51 on 28th June 2009 21:45

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We are stardust.Our bodies are made from the guts of exploding stars.

Neil Degrasse Tyson.

Quote (Sandyboots @ 27th June 2009 03:02)

As for the other point, Shadow saved your team in Thamasa and risked his life to try to stop Kefka in the Floating Continent while the rest of the party run for their lives. It's just that he doesn't let anybody know that he actually cares in order to keep his icy shield up.

Thats true, but I was joking. He is just as much of a hero. But my point is, he is clearly staying back for other reasons other than his wounds.

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Praise Be To Helix!

I have a different view on the whole reasoning behind shadow staying behind. I am telling you now there will be spoilers in this dissucsion. they wont be in the highlight box so read at you're own risk.

I don't think it has anything to do with not having a purpose to live, but rather fulfilling a promise or feeling the fulfilled his purpose to the world.
When baram was dieing he left him behind, he couldn't kill him. His emotions about his friend prevented him from taking his friends life, even if it ment he'd be captured. This seemed to move his life into a negitive direction. He felt like he abandon his friend, his wife/girlfriend, and his daughter. He couldn't face himself as clyde anymore and became a shadow of his former self. Thus he shrouds himself in black and concels his identity from all. This is symbolic of a journey of self renewal, which was present in the games predicessor, FFIV. The shroud he wears is the sign of his struggle. The fact that he conceals who he is to his daughter and everyone who used to know him means that he feels he can no longer face the world as who he was. Instead of thinking of shadow as a name, think of it as a description. He's no longer able to be clyde, mearly a shadow of the man once known as clyde.

It's mentioned on the ship to thasama that he's killed off his emotions. This is probably due to his reaction a Baram's final capture/death. He feels his emotions get in the way, so he hides from them the best he can. However, he can't completely hide from them as he cares about his canine companion, and even his daughter who later joins the fight.
When he's on the floating content he's given another oppertunity to save people he seems to care about. In doing so he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Now in the original japanese version this is the end of shadows tale. You don't have the option to wait for him and have him join you later.
This was added into the american version for some reason. Hence why he only has a few lines in the ending, and only speaks in the part of the story where you get him back. As for his choice in the ending, well he's finally save those he cares about, and is willing to be clyde again. He can stop running, which is symbolic of him actually stopping running on the tower. Staying there, he's willing to accept his past and free himself of his burdens. Realm, he now knows will grow up in a better world. Since she never really knew him anyways she wont really miss her father, and now that he's done something to save the people, he feels he's made things right and is willing to face his friend in the next life. It could also mean that the part of him that is a "shadow" is no longer haunting him, and thus he's able to become clyde again. Like how darth vader, just before death, becomes anakin again. He's able to cast aside everything that was holding him back, everything that devided him, and become whole again.

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Don't fear the reaper!
Wonderful system this "Democracy" is no mechanism to break a tie -Dinobot-
It's spelled Raymond Luxray Yatch but it's pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove.
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici
Sic Semper Tyrannis bush.

That's great man. All of what you said is really true.

SPOILERS:

I would guess that his death at the end of the first half of the game in Japan would signal that they meant for him to die either way. So that he is definitely planning to kill himself on the tower (as if there was any doubt). He really must've been fulfilled, and I suppose that the tragedy is that because he has gone down this path he can not face Relm, or at least he feels he can not.

He really didn't kill his emotions, but he likes to think he did, because that means he doesn't have to be responsible. But we see many cases where he does heroic things and tries to act as if he didn't. His clothes are not only a sign of struggle, but a means of concealing himself from the troubles in his past, present, and future. Everything you said is true.

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Praise Be To Helix!

It is necessary to keep marking spoilers?, the topic title says “aftergame”.

The name “Shadow” comes from “the shadow bandits”, the label that Baram came up with for him and Clyde, so Shadow is living for them both.

Quote (Lockes AlterEgo)

Now in the original japanese version this is the end of shadows tale. You don't have the option to wait for him and have him join you later.

Reaaaally now?, then explain this video

And I'm still angry at him for coming to the party but not staying for the cleaning. Yes he saved the world, but there is still so much more to be done.

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine

Sandy, i do believe the later two relases (aka the playstation and GBA versions) finally gave the japanese the option to save shadow. From what i have heard he isn't avalible to save in the original catridge version on the snes. I of course could be wrong, but i do seem to remember reading about that somewhere.

As for the shadow bandits thing, this is a true point. The name does come from that as if you change shadow's name the name of the bandit group changes (weirdly). But it also has a lot of symbology behind it. Anyways I still think my point stands.

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Don't fear the reaper!
Wonderful system this "Democracy" is no mechanism to break a tie -Dinobot-
It's spelled Raymond Luxray Yatch but it's pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove.
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici
Sic Semper Tyrannis bush.

Quote (Lockes AlterEgo @ 2nd July 2009 13:34)

it also has a lot of symbology behind it. Anyways I still think my point stands.

It does. No matter why they chose it, there's a reason they chose it. And that is because of the symbolism in it.

And I think it's necessary to warn with spoilers, or the person who made the topice should take the time to put it in the title. Because people can just accidentally click on it, and the whole game is ruined for them. Better safe then sorry, especialy when it comes to someone's experience of the game.

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Praise Be To Helix!

Actually he is a very interesting character and his relation to realm is even more intriguing.

I especially found it interesting his dream that took him to the village where you found both realm and her grandfather.

I have in no doubt of my mind that he has been there before going there with the party.


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We are stardust.Our bodies are made from the guts of exploding stars.

Neil Degrasse Tyson.

Quote (Lockes AlterEgo @ 2nd July 2009 13:34)

Sandy, i do believe the later two relases (aka the playstation and GBA versions) finally gave the japanese the option to save shadow. From what i have heard he isn't avalible to save in the original catridge version on the snes. I of course could be wrong, but i do seem to remember reading about that somewhere.

Fine, this one says “SNES” in the title, of course it is a hack, but you get the point.

I've never heard of such a thing, do you remember where did you read it?

Also, the various fan-translations for the game (the Super Famicom one) have Shadow in the WOR, how could they all add him?

Edit: Oh wait, I forgot I have THE COMPLETE!, Aaand there's Shadow in the WOR. Case closed.

Quote (Lockes AlterEgo)

But it also has a lot of symbology behind it. Anyways I still think my point stands.

Well of course it's symbolic, I'm not debating that. It's the same way Locke was named after a locksmith company.

But, I personally find the bandits reason more deep and meaningful than whatever other hidden message one can dig from it. Who knows, the creators could have named him that because he wears all black or because he is a ninja.

I don't have proof for this, it's just a rumor, but it appears that Shadow and Setzer are Nomura's creations. That would somehow explain Shadow's personality and Setzer's silver hair >_>

Quote (Magitek_slayer)

Actually he is a very interesting character and his relation to realm is even more intriguing.

I would have liked the game to expand on that. It was there and it had potential, but was barely touched.

This post has been edited by Sandyboots on 3rd July 2009 01:16

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"Love, and do what you will" Saint Augustine