Phoenix

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Phoenix

Phoenix (or Adar Flam, the name given to it by fans) is one of several unused colossi that did not make it into the final version of Shadow of the Colossus.

Strategy

The guidebook gives information on how Phoenix had to be defeated: "Its body was wreathed in flame. You defeated it by plunging it into a lake". This indicates that Wander was not able to climb its body straight away. In all released screenshots of Phoenix, Wander is seen riding Agro, so it can be assumed she was vital to this battle.

Rumors

According to an old Team Ico Gamers Blog post, Phoenix was removed for being overpowered and also because it required a huge arena due to its attacks. [1] (This would later be confirmed by an interview with Fumito Ueda conducted by French gaming magazine Chronic'art.)

Location

There are two proposed locations for this colossus' original location; the first at Quadrant D3 (Basaran's lair from the retail version), where the same trees seen in several of the Phoenix beta screenshots can still be found. The second is at Quadrant I4; where matching texture and data evidence also suggests the colossus once dwelled. [2]

File:Screenshot (4043).png

Screenshot of the extracted D3 Quadrant from the PSU PV, with the I4 Phoenix trees.

In the PSU Preview Version, the file names of the Phoenix's trees at Quadrant D3 all contain the 'I4' string (this was removed by the Preview Version.); the presence of which indicated the trees likely once existed behind Avion's arena at the I4 Quadrant. This, along with the newly-realized explanation[3] for Avion's displaced boss_icon at Basaran's arena in the OPM Demo now leaves D3 as the more unlikely location for the Phoenix's location.[4]

Gallery

A screenshot of Phoenix.

Another screenshot of Phoenix.

An earlier image of Wander and Agro near Phoenix. Note its longer, ostrich-like neck.

Another image of Phoenix in which it appears to be glowing.

Chronic'art French interview with Fumito Ueda (translated). Source of prior image.