Shadow of the Colossus guide: The 5th colossus

Each of the 16 colossi you fight during Shadow of the Colossus is a puzzle to solve. You have to find where it’s hiding in the world. Then you have to figure out how to get close to it. And finally you have to figure out how to reach its magic sigil weak points and kill it.

This guide will take you from the Shrine of Worship through defeating the fifth colossus. We’ll also point out any shrines, lizards or fruit trees along the way.

Finding the Colossus

Grid View

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• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

1. Your sword will point you more or less east this time.
2. Hop on Agro and ride that way. You’re going to follow the edge of the large canyon and pass just to the left of the cliff you went through to find colossus 4.
3. Keep following the edge of the canyon. It’ll make a sharp right turn at one point. Just keep the cliff on your right as you follow it.
4. Turn right (south) when you come to the shrine (see below) and aim for the narrow canyon.
5. The canyon will lead you right to your goal, but you won’t see the colossus just yet. Hop in the water and swim toward the submerged arch directly ahead of you.
6. When you get close, hold down R2 to dive underwater. This lets you swim through the archway and continue forward.
7. Surface again on the other side, then climb up the ledges on the pillar in the middle of the courtyard.
8. At the top, follow the walkway and go up the stairs.

Collectibles along the way

There is lizard, shrine and fruit tree on the way from the Shrine of Worship to the second colossus. These are all optional things to do, but they’ll each help you out a little. Lizards will increase your stamina, fruit will increase your health and shrines will restore your health and act as a quick save point.

Shining tail lizard and shrine

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• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

You’ll pass this shrine and its accompanying lizard on your way to the colossus — it’s about halfway between the Shrine of Worship and your destination.

Fruit tree

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• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Right before you enter the canyon that leads to the colossus, turn left and follow the cliff north. Watch for a rocky outcropping just before the edge of the large canyon. There’s a few fruit trees here and a lot of fruit (and therefore health) to collect.

Approaching the 5th colossus

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• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

1. After the cutscene, run to the front left corner of the balcony. You’ll drop through the floor and into the water.
2. Swim toward the pillar ahead of you, but aim just to the right. You’ll see three platforms even with the surface of the water. That’s where you’re going.
3. Stand on the middle platform and take a moment to find the magic sigils. There’s one on its tail and one on each wingtip.
4. Draw your bow and fire an arrow at the colossus to get its attention.
5. It’ll take off and fly straight at you. Ignore your instincts, and don’t get out of the way.
6. Right before it gets to you, jump straight up and grab onto the fur on its shoulder.

Defeating the 5th colossus

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• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Bluepoint Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

1. Wait for the colossus to level out and stop flapping, then run along the wing out toward the tip. You have to cross a span without anything to grab onto, so time it carefully.
2. Draw your sword and stab at the sigil until it disappears. The colossus will roll and swerve a lot, so just be patient.
3. Wait until it calms down, then cross over to the other wingtip to repeat the process.
4. Return to the colossus’ back, then start carefully making your way toward the tip of its tail. You’ll have to grab on periodically as it banks around the area. Just be careful and grab on whenever you have to.
5. Stab the third magic sigil until the colossus crashes into the water.