Colossal Knights are towering armored entities that roam the ruins of Greater London in Tides of Annihilation. They are some of the most distinctive features of the game, functioning simultaneously as vertical exploration challenges and boss encounters. The concept draws comparisons to Shadow of the Colossus, but integrated into an open action-adventure rather than a focused boss-rush game.
Scale
Colossal Knights are large enough that players can climb their exteriors, walk across their surfaces, and explore palatial interiors within their massive forms. They move through the London landscape, and their presence reshapes the terrain around them. Approaching one is visible from a distance.
Exploration
Climbing a Colossal Knight is a gameplay experience in itself. The ascent involves platforming sequences across their armor, finding entry points to interior chambers, and navigating through rooms and corridors inside the entity. Each Colossal Knight contains narrative content, collectibles, and encounters that you can only access by climbing it.
Boss encounters
At the end of each Colossal Knight's interior, players face a boss fight. These encounters test the skills developed through the Dual Frontline Battle System and the specific Spectral Knights available at that point in the game. Defeating a Colossal Knight presumably yields significant story progression and rewards.
World presence
Unlike static dungeons, Colossal Knights move through the open world. They are living landmarks, and their patrol routes affect which areas of London they pass through. Whether players can encounter them at different locations on different playthroughs has not been confirmed, but their mobile nature suggests some variation.