All Heroes Start Somewhere
Olympus Coliseum is actually the smallest world in the entire game, featuring only three areas to explore. The Coliseum Gates area is where our heroes first enter this world, and it should be noted that there are treasures everywhere! There is a Blue Trinity on either side of the coliseum door, both of which reveal Treasure Chests. There’s also a Treasure Chest hiding behind a pillar nearby.
Once you’ve collected your treasures, head into the Coliseum Lobby area. Phil is distracted in all of his preparations for the upcoming games and directs you to move that massive pedestal on the opposite wall. Go ahead and give it a try, but that thing isn’t going anywhere. Talk to Phil again and he’ll realize that he’s mistaken you for someone else. Phil then offers you some training courses for Sora to take on. In these training courses, you’ll be breaking barrels while under a time limit. Believe it or not, it is actually easier to accomplish these courses if you remove the Vortex ability (if you have it equipped) from Sora.
The first course is relatively simple. You have to destroy all 20 barrels in 30 seconds. When striking barrels, it’s good to know that some of the barrels will fly off in whatever direction Sora is facing after he unleashes a full combo. If you aim your attacks right, you can actually launch barrels into other barrels to help cut down your time. Take them all out, then return to Phil and tell him you’re ready for the next challenge.
The advanced course is a little harder, but still nothing Sora can’t handle. Start by making your way around the base of the structure, destroying any barrels you find along the way. Next, make your way up to the top, still taking out barrels as you pass them. The final barrel is on a floating platform out in the middle of the arena. You can’t reach it by jumping to it, but if you aim the barrel on the highest level of the structure correctly, you can knock it into the barrel on the floating platform to take it out. Or, you can take the easy way out and lock on to the barrel out on the floating platform and use a Fire spell to break it with ease.
Entering the Preliminaries
Phil rewards the party with the Thunder spell. Unfortunately, despite all of your hard efforts, Phil still won’t let you join the games. Disgruntled, the party heads back out to the Coliseum Gates area, where they encounter Hades. For no particular reason, Hades bestows an Entry Pass upon Sora, which you can bring back to Phil to gain access to the games. Be warned that the Preliminary Tournament is not for pushovers. There are seven rounds that you need to clear all in one shot. Get defeated anywhere along the way, and you have to start all the way back at the beginning. It should be noted that if you at least make it to the final bout against Cloud, you will not have to start over. Win or lose against Cloud, the story continues.
- Shadow Scout
- Soldier x4
- Blue Rhapsody x3
- Sinisters
- Shadow x10
- Blue Rhapsody x3
- Heat & Freeze
- Red Nocturne x5
- Blue Rhapsody x5
- Shadow Platoon
- Soldier x2
- Shadow x2
- Blue Rhapsody x3
- Red Nocturne x3
- Blue Revenge
- Blue Rhapsody x9
- Big One
- Large Body x1
- Blue Rhapsody x4
- Red Nocturne x4
Final Match: Cloud
HP: 300 / EXP: 80
The final round of the Preliminaries is a match against Cloud, who is quite possibly the hardest enemy you have faced so far. He’s quick and he’s capable of dealing a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Fortunately, there is one major flaw to Cloud’s fighting style that allows you to get the upper hand. He’ll shout out before every single attack he uses, giving you the heads up so you can adjust your fighting style accordingly.
Cloud’s standard attack is his charging attack which typically can last for up to seven bursts at a time. During this attack, it’s a good idea to simply Dodge Roll away from him and then advance on him as he starts to slow down again. Cloud will sometimes string many of these attacks together which makes it seem like an endless assault, but it’s very important that you do not engage him during this attack. Be patient and wait for him to stop.
Cloud will occasionally jump up into the air and come crashing down right on top of you. A well-timed Dodge Roll will allow you to avoid being hit. Use the time that he’s standing still to hit him with a combo or two.
A Turn for the Worse
Win or lose, your match with Cloud is cut short as Hades and his nasty dog, Cerberus, crash the tournament. The cutscene dumps Sora and the gang back in the Coliseum Lobby area, but you can talk to Phil to re-enter the arena and take on the mighty three-headed beast!
Boss: Cerberus
HP: 600 / EXP: 200
Cerberus is a very difficult enemy, especially if you didn’t go to Deep Jungle before coming to Olympus Coliseum. The Cure spell comes in mighty handy during this battle, plus all of the extra leveling up you did in Deep Jungle will help as well.
Cerberus will start the battle by launching fireballs from its mouth for a while. Simply use the Dodge Roll to avoid them, or you can even deflect them back at Cerberus if you’ve learned the Guard ability. Wait for Cerberus to lower its heads, and he’ll start biting with some rather vicious attacks. If you focus on one of the outside heads and attack only when it doesn’t move, you should be able to avoid damage for the most part.
Eventually Cerberus will get back up and lift up its front legs, creating a massive shockwave when he hits the ground again. Jump over it and get ready for some more Dodge Rolling. Cerberus will puke up some nasty dark sludge which will burst out of various spots on the ground, so Dodge Roll frequently and in all sorts of different directions to avoid getting hit. When Cerberus stops again, use the same strategy as before until he lifts up his front legs again and comes crashing back down. This pattern continues until Cerberus’s HP reaches 0.
Victory Reward: Inferno Band Accessory
After vanquishing Cerberus, the gang returns to the Coliseum Lobby where Phil bestows upon them the Hero’s License, which allows you to participate in future tournaments held at the coliseum. Head out to the Coliseum Gates and talk to Cloud on the steps. After the cutscene, he’ll give you the Sonic Blade ability, which is a very useful attack to have in your arsenal! When you’re ready, return to the World Map using the World Exit and head back to Traverse Town for another visit.