Sirius was a relatively small colossus, about the same size as the 11th and 14th colossi (though a little taller than both), resembling a giant boar or hog. Unlike those colossi however, Sirius had relatively little body armor and an exposed back with fur on it. This indicates that its weak spot was constantly exposed during the battle.
Two separate objects related to Sirius exists in the sheets named "siriAacce1" and "siriAacce2" (likely referring to "accessory"). They have the same naming scheme as the rings from the 1st colossus' armor named "minoAacce1" and "minoAacce2". These rings can be seen best in the sketches of Sirius on its shoulder and thigh armor, but can be seen in the screenshots as well.
Strategy[]
Sirius was, also similar to the 11th and 14th colossi, very fast and - possibly - very aggressive. It had to be defeated while riding Agro, as it would chase the player at high speed. Because it had virtually no body armor, the main obstacle of fighting this colossus was not removing it, but simply managing to stab it.
The monument needed to defeat Sirius.
The artbook gives a clue about how Sirius had to be defeated, as it says: "rocks meant to be used in the fight with Sirius",[2] with a picture of a stonehenge-like monument. It can be assumed that Sirius would chase Wander while on horseback, and the player had to ride through this monument, making Sirius hit the rocks, causing them to collapse on it. Evidence in the PS3 data sheets reveals that the rocks would break into various pieces, and more than one existed in Sirius' old arena, as you can see a second stonehenge-like structure in the background of a screenshot of it, and a few broken ones.
In the final game, after the 14th colossus' armor is broken, it becomes vulnerable to the various objects throughout the Ruins. It falls unconscious whenever hitting one, getting up after a few seconds, while an animation it takes three steps backwards (named after 'Sirius') plays. This could suggest that Sirius fell unconscious the same way as the 14th colossus does, whenever hitting one of the stonehenge rocks.
Location[]
Sirius was located in the arena known as Stonehenge, most likely located at quadrant "E8". Early pictures of E7[3] and footage of Wander travelling from E6 to E7[4] show a swirling sky and beam that form above a colossus arena located on top of E8. The chip data of Stonehenge seems to match the early version of quadrant F8 when placed next to it; and its textures match the early version of E7 and F8.
Development History[]
This colossus was created near the start of the game's development in 2003, and used to be tested in Stage 18.
Two early sketches of Sirius from the official artbook.
Sirius was boss created by using the same archetype as the 14th colossus, with both having a similar strategy. It's unknown how much the colossus changed during development.
After the start of 2004, when the proper world map was created by using a height map, Stonehenge was decided to be added to quadrant E8, where it stayed until it was cut.
The volume control showing 21 colossi.
Sirius most likely survived production until near the end of 2004, together with Devil, Phoenix, Roc, and Yamori A, as all of them had AdpcmVolControl sheets, as indicated by the PS3 Data Sheets. Another evidence that Sirius survived such a long time is that it had a unique idol statue in the Shrine of Worship, also indicated by the data sheets.
After the world map was reduced at the end of 2004, Sirius was cut from the game, and E8 became a small slice of land. Multiple stonehenge structures were placed throughout the entire map, with the only intact one being in G7.
E3 Demo[]
Several animations of Sirius were found in the E3 Demo build. They were all loaded in the 14th colossus' body, except for one that's loaded in the 11th, but aren't all performed by them in gameplay. These would later be removed in subsequent versions, only leaving 'sirius_A_back':
sirius_A_add_rasp (l and r) - It lifts its legs from either left or right sides and then places them down again.
It is an "additional (add)" animation, which means it can be played together with another; and as it is listed inside of the "ControlAssignCERBERUS_WALK_ADD" sheet, this means it likely was played together with a walk animation.
Several sheets related to these animations name them "wall rub".
sirius_A_back - It walks backwards.
This is used by the 11th colossus in order to prepare and ram the altar. The 14th colossus has a faster version of the same animation named "cerberus_A_back".
sirius_A_dash - It runs.
sirius_A_hit_wall (l and r) - It hits a wall from either its left or right side.
The 11th and 14th colossi only have one animation for hitting a wall, and they use their heads while doing so; unlike these animations which use the colossus' sides.
The 14th colossus performing the "sirius_A_rage" animation.
sirius_A_rage - It turns while running doing a 360.
Several sheets related to this animation name it "rampage"; the MotionKind for the 14th colossus calls it "Cerberus goes berserk!".
Trivia[]
A texture called "sz_hn_sirius_hifu07_f" is present in the game files, however, it is not listed in the texture parameters for Sirius, only being used on the 15th colossus. After changing the texture's saturation and color, it was discovered that it was indeed the same one used on Sirius's body in the images, just slightly modified.
Sirius' name most likely originates from the brighest star in the night sky "Sirius" or "α Canis Majoris", alsoknown colloquially as the "Dog Star".[5]
The reason for this name likely relates to the theory[6] which states that the real life Stonehenge[7] has connections with ancient astronomy, particularly H. Broome's 1864 theory, proposing that the monument was built in 997 BC, when the star Sirius would have risen over Stonehenge's Avenue.[8]
Early theories placed Sirius on quadrant G7, with the only proof being the stonehenge structure seen at G7 matching the one used in Sirius' fight as described and shown in the artbook. The chip data of Stonehenge doesn't match G7's however; and in an early picture of G7, the stonehenge structure is nowhere to be seen. G7's unused layer 2 chip data had a model where the stonehenge rock is currently located, suggesting it was moved there temporarely before being implemented in the area's main model. Several other broken stonehenges can also be seen throughout the Forbidden Lands.
Gallery[]
Sirius chasing Wander and Agro.
A side view of Sirius. Note the height difference with Wander.
Walkthrough