“ | I do not need your help, Zeus. I can take down this beast. | ” |
–Kratos. |
Greek History[]
The Colossus of Rhodes was a giant, bronze statue of the God of the Sun, Helios, which once stood over (or before) the port of Rhodes. This Wonder of the Ancient World was fashioned from recycled parts from captured siege towers. The Colossus stood for 56 years before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C.E.
In God of War II[]
The Colossus was the first boss in God of War II, brought to life by Zeus (in the form of an Eagle) in an attempt to destroy Kratos. The King of the Gods drained nearly all of Kratos' power and transferred to the statue to animate it, shortly after it broke free of its moorings and strode into the city. As Kratos fought his way through the city, the Colossus opposed him, but Kratos fought back several times, stabbing out the statue's right eye, slashing its cheeks and making its left hand blast off.
Upon draining his powers into the Blade of Olympus, Kratos then blasted a hole in the Colossus' side and attacked it from within, he made his way up the statue and used the Blade of Olympus to drain all of the godly power that animated the statue.. When completely drained of its power, the Colossus began to collapse, and Kratos escaped through the mouth onto a platform. Ironically, the Colossus achieved its purpose only in its dying moments: its falling hand crushed the now mortal Kratos, weakening him enough for Zeus to kill him with the Blade of Olympus.
Gameplay[]
Colossus will continually pursue Kratos, always being aware of his location. In all of instances Kratos needs to fight back for long enough to exhaust Colossus and then attack it while its resting.
In the final battle, the best way to beat the Colossus of Rhodes is to use the Blades of Athena first as they are the first to be weakened when pouring your power to the Blade of Olympus. After that, use Poseidon's Rage to stun it as the magic is lost next. Third use the statue's broken hand to stun it one final time before pouring your HP into the Blade of Olympus.
Powers and Abilities[]
When animated, the Colossus displays immense strength, able to smash through large buildings and deal great amounts of damage to Kratos by pounding and swiping at him. Additionally, the energy that fuels it can be channeled through the statues broken sections for a burning attack that emits blue flames, as well as creating shockwaves of godly energy, and even create cracks in the ground which erupt blue flames. Within, this same energy impedes Kratos' progress until he can destroy certain supports.
Trivia[]
- Before its destruction, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the famous "Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World", along with other Greek landmarks such as the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
- The Colossus of Rhodes continues the God of War tradition of a large-scale boss battle with multiple phases in the first part of the games. In Chains of Olympus, Kratos defeats the Basilisk, in God of War, Kratos fights the Hydra King, in Ghost of Sparta, Kratos defeats Scylla, and in God of War III, Kratos battles Poseidon and his Hippocampi.
- The fact of the living bronze statue on the Colossus is probably inspired by the myth of Talos.
- The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the few boss enemies of the saga to be defeated without the use of a minigame (although several QTEs are used during the battle to weaken and injure it).
- During the penultimate phase of the battle, the Colossus is not animated to have any legs. This defect can easily be used in Kratos' advantage by moving around the arena.
- Although it is based on Helios, the Colossus's outfit is different from Helios's clothes themselves, in both God of War II and God of War III, with the exception of the sandals.
- The Colossus of Rhodes does not grant orbs after defeating it. The Hydra King functions the same.
- When animated, Colossus displays various emotions such as anger, pain and even joy, should it manage to kill Kratos.