In the haunting and vast world of Shadow of the Colossus, every encounter with a colossus brings a unique challenge. Among the sixteen mythical giants, Basaran stands out for its intimidating size and environmental complexity. This colossal tortoise-like creature, encountered in the game’s desert canyon region, requires more than brute force to defeat. Players must solve environmental puzzles, maintain awareness of Basaran’s movements, and execute precise timing to bring it down. Facing Basaran is not simply a test of strength, but a demonstration of patience, observation, and strategy, which makes it one of the more memorable boss fights in the game.
Who Is Basaran?
Basaran is the ninth colossus in Shadow of the Colossus, located in a remote area marked by ruins and geysers. With a body structure resembling a massive armored turtle, Basaran’s most distinctive features are its towering height, stone-covered shell, and long legs. Unlike some other colossi that rely on speed or aerial agility, Basaran presents a slower, more deliberate challenge, forcing players to adapt their tactics accordingly.
The Arena: Geyser-Filled Canyon
Basaran’s lair is not just a backdrop; it plays a crucial role in the battle. The fight takes place in a circular canyon surrounded by cliffs, with active geysers scattered throughout. These geysers become instrumental in toppling the massive beast and are essential to solving the puzzle of how to reach Basaran’s weak points. Navigating this terrain while avoiding Basaran’s deadly attacks adds to the intensity of the encounter.
Locating Basaran in the Forbidden Lands
To find Basaran, players must travel south-west of the central shrine, heading toward the arid plains beyond the stone bridge. Riding Agro through the canyons, players eventually reach a wide, sandy expanse surrounded by towering rock formations. The moment Wander enters this area, a cinematic reveals Basaran emerging from the shadows, signaling the start of the battle. Preparation and awareness are crucial at this stage, as players must rely on their knowledge of the environment to outmaneuver the colossus.
Battle Strategy: Using the Environment
Defeating Basaran requires more than scaling its body. The key is to make use of the geysers scattered across the battlefield. Here’s how the fight typically unfolds:
- Lure Basaran over a geyser: The first step is to position Basaran above one of the active geysers. Its movement is slow, but it will follow Wander persistently.
- Activate the geyser: When Basaran steps over a geyser, the water pressure erupts and strikes the colossus from below, disrupting its balance.
- Topple the colossus: The geyser lifts one side of Basaran’s massive frame, causing it to stagger and eventually collapse to its knees, exposing the fur on its legs.
- Climb Basaran: Once the creature is downed, Wander must quickly grab onto the fur and scale its body before it recovers.
- Target weak points: The primary weak point is located on Basaran’s back, surrounded by a stone structure. Another minor sigil might be hidden on the head or shoulders.
This sequence may need to be repeated multiple times if Wander is thrown off or fails to reach the vital points in time. Stamina management and precise climbing are vital, especially when the colossus begins to shake violently in an attempt to throw Wander off.
Visual and Sound Design
Basaran’s design exemplifies Shadow of the Colossus’s emphasis on atmosphere. Its heavily armored shell resembles ancient ruins, complete with stone arches and glowing glyphs. The soundscape during the fight transitions between eerie silence and rising tension as the colossus nears, with the music swelling dramatically when Wander lands a successful blow. Every element from the way Basaran groans under pressure to the rumbling footsteps that shake the earth reinforces the sense of scale and mystery that defines the game.
Basaran’s Attacks
While slow, Basaran is by no means harmless. Its primary attacks include:
- Energy blast: Basaran can charge and shoot a powerful energy beam from its head. The blast is slow but has a wide radius and can knock Wander or Agro back with force.
- Stomping: If Wander is on foot nearby, Basaran may stomp or shift its weight, causing minor tremors that disorient the player.
The best tactic is to remain on Agro until Basaran is toppled. The horse offers better mobility and can help dodge the beam attack more effectively. Staying in motion reduces the chance of being hit.
Symbolism and Emotional Impact
Like all colossi, Basaran isn’t portrayed as evil or aggressive for the sake of aggression. Its movements are more defensive than offensive, and it only reacts when provoked. This continues the game’s central theme that Wander’s quest, while noble in appearance, may not be as righteous as it seems. Defeating Basaran feels less like victory and more like desecration, especially when the beast collapses and the eerie tendrils of darkness pierce Wander’s body.
The environment, design, and pacing of the fight contribute to this sense of sorrow and conflict. The game never offers dialogue or justification beyond Wander’s silent mission, leaving players to reflect on the weight of their actions after each battle. Basaran, with its ancient and solemn presence, underscores that feeling deeply.
Tips for First-Time Players
If you’re facing Basaran for the first time, here are a few tips to make the battle smoother:
- Use Agro for mobility especially when dodging the energy blasts.
- Don’t rush the geyser phase. Basaran’s placement over the geyser is crucial to success.
- Keep your stamina bar full before attempting to scale its back.
- Time your grip and pauses during shaking to prevent being thrown off.
- Observe Basaran’s leg movement patterns to predict the best moment to climb.
Mastering these tactics will help you overcome the trial and reach the next chapter in Wander’s mysterious journey.
Basaran in Shadow of the Colossus is more than just a boss it’s a carefully crafted encounter that combines puzzle-solving, strategic use of the environment, and emotional storytelling. Its presence in the Forbidden Lands offers a slower but more thoughtful challenge that contrasts with faster, more aggressive colossi. Whether you’re revisiting the game or experiencing it for the first time, facing Basaran is a moment that lingers long after the battle ends. It represents the essence of what makes Shadow of the Colossus timeless: beauty, sadness, and the quiet weight of sacrifice.