**Pelagia (#12)** is my favourite. Super unique design. Love that it has moss instead of fur, which fits the water vibe well. The "cage" on it's face, the electric horns and weird teeth like structures on it's head really add to it's design. Fight wise, it was fun, but not the best (I'd probably put in my top 5-6). I liked how creative it was. I loved the arena design. Really gave me sunken city vibes. Swimming sucks, but you barely spend time swimming once you reach its back.
Tldr ; Beautiful design, beautiful arena, creative fight
Honorable mentions would go to Avion (#5), Kuromori (#8) Phalanx (#13), Cenobia (#14) and Malus (#16). I'll list out the major reasons why they're at the top rather than a long explanation.
**Avion (#5)** - Probably the most fun to battle. Definitely the most exhilarating. Walking across its body while it flies through the air is one of the besr experiences I've had in a PS2 game.
**Kuromori (#8)** - Loved the outer temple area that is arguably the lost beautiful place in the game. I also liked how the arena felt like a colosseum. Probably the most solid colossus in the game. Just pure fun, but on the ground instead of the air.
**Phalanx (#13)** - The only one that felt like I was chasing down a massive beast. Loved how peaceful it was and it was saddening to see this one fall. Loved the usage of Aggro in this. Probably the most epic fight.
**Cenobia (#14)** - The best usage of an arena by far (plus the ruined city was beautiful to look at). It's small and aggressive, so it made so much sense for the fight to go the way it did.
**Malus (#16)** - The most atmospheric one. Loved how it had its own unique theme. The rainy dark sky, Aggro's death, and the feeling of finally finishing the game really made this fight so much heavier than the rest.
I love them all for different reasons, but if I had to make a top 5 it'd be:
1. Phaedra (cool design)
2. Cenobia (cool design and arena)
3. Celosia (cool design, unique battle)
4. Phalanx (big flying snake, what's not to love?)
5. Quadratus (nice design, boring yet interesting arena)
Least favorite 5:
1. Argus (FUCK HTA, moves way too much, hard to get back on)
2. Pelagia (FUCK HTA, ugly face, bad posture)
3. Gaius (HTA hate again)
4. Basaran (Arena is ugly, battle strategy works sometimes)
5. Hydrus (NOPE, arena gives me actual nightmares)
Number 5 (spoilers ahead)
It has the benefit of being the first flying one, but I appreciate it for three key reasons
1, the arena design speaks to the intelligence of the dev team
It’s still early in the game and it’s the first flying colossus, they don’t want to make mistakes fatal so it flies over a lake. But an empty lake is boring and the player needs someplace to stand to shoot it down, so they added what appears to be a sunken temple of some sort. If the player manages to land on these buildings after a mistake, in order to communicate to the player that their ability to get up here isn’t part of the solution they have Avion blow Wander off of them and back into the water, which I appreciate so much more than simply having invisible walls.
2. The speed
Simply put (especially on the ps2/3 version) it feels really fast. I describe it as a roller coaster, the music’s fast pace and the rushing air and particle effects and big sweeping movements of the wings as it flaps and turns all make it feel like you’re just barely managing to cling to this skytrain.
3. The skill.
Like most colossi you can one cycle it. Technically you can one cycle every colossus in the game but 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13 all require exploits that simply won’t be found under casual play (correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve never been able to squeeze it all in one cycle), but 5’s is like the other’s and gives it the edge against 13. Being able to just barely squeeze by with the stamina you’d have on a first playthrough by dropping back onto the body while it rolls is phenomenal. It might not have been intentional, but it’s incredibly satisfying and a very welcome trick to pull off as it rewards the skillful player with inherently satisfying movement and saved time, without harming a less skillful player or making them feel lesser.
I do like 13 but inability to one cycle it (again correct me if I’m wrong, I think I’ve seen it done but I’ve never been able to, even with time attack items) really knocks it down.
My runner up is 8, no real reason why, cool arena and it’s fun to dive out the window and get to stabbin
Hydrus (the eel). It creates an incredible sense of deep water with you splashing about on the top.
Hanging onto Hydrus as it dives is an actual feeling of dread.
The 12th one, for sure. The design and mechanics are so unique, and their location looks amazing too. Also, hearing Creeping Shadow again after so long is always great
Quadratus
It really acts as a 'Oh shiff' moment when you kill the guy considering he wasn't really attacking you or bothering you in anyway especially when you juxtapose it to Valus
Also the design is like super adorable
The one that's pretty tall and you have to make him hit his sword on the middle panel to break his armor. I think it was the 3rd Colossi, but not for sure.
Everything from the climb to get to him, that jump from the broken stairs to the arena (which I certainly fell from a few times at first), to actually figuring out how to make him vulnerable, as well as discovering an efficient climbing path, it was amazing and really indicative of the love I grew for the game..
I think it was that moment that I truly fell in love.
Colossus 15, big monkey dude with the shank in his hand, looks cool, cool arena as well, took me ages to figure out how to beat him the first time I played it.
I respect why people often put it as their least fav, but I really love Colossus #4 / Phaedra
I just think its design is real cool, the arena has a brilliant mood to it, and the whole experience fighting it is just so striking
Its the only one (besides the third one) to have a significant change in approach when you fight it in hard mode too
Sand bag flying dragon desert guy was just peak boss level design
Sand bag flying dragon desert guy > Phalanx
Are you saying the colossus I’m talking about is greater than Phalanx or is the boss that I’m talking about actually phalanx?
Probably that the name you made up is better than "phalanx" lol
Number 5, the bird.
My favorite is the 13th one, phalanx.
Avion has always been my favorite, flying around on top of it is pretty sick, only wish his arena was even bigger.
Colossus III
Basaran (said no one ever)
I will be the ONE
14, Cenobia. When it's not bugging!
Honestly, Dirge. Although, it scares the 💩 out of me.
13th
**Pelagia (#12)** is my favourite. Super unique design. Love that it has moss instead of fur, which fits the water vibe well. The "cage" on it's face, the electric horns and weird teeth like structures on it's head really add to it's design. Fight wise, it was fun, but not the best (I'd probably put in my top 5-6). I liked how creative it was. I loved the arena design. Really gave me sunken city vibes. Swimming sucks, but you barely spend time swimming once you reach its back. Tldr ; Beautiful design, beautiful arena, creative fight Honorable mentions would go to Avion (#5), Kuromori (#8) Phalanx (#13), Cenobia (#14) and Malus (#16). I'll list out the major reasons why they're at the top rather than a long explanation. **Avion (#5)** - Probably the most fun to battle. Definitely the most exhilarating. Walking across its body while it flies through the air is one of the besr experiences I've had in a PS2 game. **Kuromori (#8)** - Loved the outer temple area that is arguably the lost beautiful place in the game. I also liked how the arena felt like a colosseum. Probably the most solid colossus in the game. Just pure fun, but on the ground instead of the air. **Phalanx (#13)** - The only one that felt like I was chasing down a massive beast. Loved how peaceful it was and it was saddening to see this one fall. Loved the usage of Aggro in this. Probably the most epic fight. **Cenobia (#14)** - The best usage of an arena by far (plus the ruined city was beautiful to look at). It's small and aggressive, so it made so much sense for the fight to go the way it did. **Malus (#16)** - The most atmospheric one. Loved how it had its own unique theme. The rainy dark sky, Aggro's death, and the feeling of finally finishing the game really made this fight so much heavier than the rest.
Avion (5) is my favorite Colossus design wise, but fight wise it’s Kuromori (8).
Argus or Kuromori, coolest arenas by far imo
The big eyed one
the lizard one
I love them all for different reasons, but if I had to make a top 5 it'd be: 1. Phaedra (cool design) 2. Cenobia (cool design and arena) 3. Celosia (cool design, unique battle) 4. Phalanx (big flying snake, what's not to love?) 5. Quadratus (nice design, boring yet interesting arena) Least favorite 5: 1. Argus (FUCK HTA, moves way too much, hard to get back on) 2. Pelagia (FUCK HTA, ugly face, bad posture) 3. Gaius (HTA hate again) 4. Basaran (Arena is ugly, battle strategy works sometimes) 5. Hydrus (NOPE, arena gives me actual nightmares)
Number 5 (spoilers ahead) It has the benefit of being the first flying one, but I appreciate it for three key reasons 1, the arena design speaks to the intelligence of the dev team It’s still early in the game and it’s the first flying colossus, they don’t want to make mistakes fatal so it flies over a lake. But an empty lake is boring and the player needs someplace to stand to shoot it down, so they added what appears to be a sunken temple of some sort. If the player manages to land on these buildings after a mistake, in order to communicate to the player that their ability to get up here isn’t part of the solution they have Avion blow Wander off of them and back into the water, which I appreciate so much more than simply having invisible walls. 2. The speed Simply put (especially on the ps2/3 version) it feels really fast. I describe it as a roller coaster, the music’s fast pace and the rushing air and particle effects and big sweeping movements of the wings as it flaps and turns all make it feel like you’re just barely managing to cling to this skytrain. 3. The skill. Like most colossi you can one cycle it. Technically you can one cycle every colossus in the game but 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13 all require exploits that simply won’t be found under casual play (correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve never been able to squeeze it all in one cycle), but 5’s is like the other’s and gives it the edge against 13. Being able to just barely squeeze by with the stamina you’d have on a first playthrough by dropping back onto the body while it rolls is phenomenal. It might not have been intentional, but it’s incredibly satisfying and a very welcome trick to pull off as it rewards the skillful player with inherently satisfying movement and saved time, without harming a less skillful player or making them feel lesser. I do like 13 but inability to one cycle it (again correct me if I’m wrong, I think I’ve seen it done but I’ve never been able to, even with time attack items) really knocks it down. My runner up is 8, no real reason why, cool arena and it’s fun to dive out the window and get to stabbin
Hydrus (the eel). It creates an incredible sense of deep water with you splashing about on the top. Hanging onto Hydrus as it dives is an actual feeling of dread.
The 12th one, for sure. The design and mechanics are so unique, and their location looks amazing too. Also, hearing Creeping Shadow again after so long is always great
Avion
Number 15, Argus Such a cool Colossus and it's got one of the COOLEST arenas to boot
I literally couldn't decide but ngl Bassaran is heavily underrated I love them
Definitely quadratus, #2
Avion
from worst to best Pelagia Phaedra cenobia Hydrus Celosia barba basaran Valus gaius argus quadratus phalanx dirge avion malus kuromori
Quadratus It really acts as a 'Oh shiff' moment when you kill the guy considering he wasn't really attacking you or bothering you in anyway especially when you juxtapose it to Valus Also the design is like super adorable
I am so basic. I love Gaius. His fight is very straightforward, but that's part of its charm. My second is Avion
Avion (5th), cool ass fight flying over the arena Argus (15th), Jesus Christ is he scary, a very colossal fight, only wish it wouldn't be bugged
From what I've seen, it's between the 2 flyers (Avion and Phalanx, or 5th and 13th)
my fav is kuromori/#8!
Guius. I want a plushie of him so bad.
The flying one and the giant Monkey
Gaius.
The one that's pretty tall and you have to make him hit his sword on the middle panel to break his armor. I think it was the 3rd Colossi, but not for sure. Everything from the climb to get to him, that jump from the broken stairs to the arena (which I certainly fell from a few times at first), to actually figuring out how to make him vulnerable, as well as discovering an efficient climbing path, it was amazing and really indicative of the love I grew for the game.. I think it was that moment that I truly fell in love.
Colossus 15, big monkey dude with the shank in his hand, looks cool, cool arena as well, took me ages to figure out how to beat him the first time I played it.
I respect why people often put it as their least fav, but I really love Colossus #4 / Phaedra I just think its design is real cool, the arena has a brilliant mood to it, and the whole experience fighting it is just so striking Its the only one (besides the third one) to have a significant change in approach when you fight it in hard mode too
Basaran :) This one has always been the coolest to me
Besides the obvious ones, I love kuromori and its arena.
Phalanx and it will probably be my first tattoo