I remember the first time I played through that metroidvania game last winter—the one with the cleverly designed world that reminded me so much of Super Metroid's Zebes. As I moved through those beautifully distinct zones, completing one area before progressing to the next, I couldn't help but draw parallels to another epic confrontation that's been debated for centuries. The game's structured approach to backtracking meant I wasn't constantly retracing my steps through familiar territory, but rather experiencing each new environment as its own contained challenge. This got me thinking about mythological battles, specifically one that would pit brother against brother in the ultimate divine showdown: Zeus vs Hades: Which God of War Would Win in an Epic Battle?

Now I know what you're thinking—aren't these two primarily known as gods of sky and underworld respectively? While that's technically true, both have demonstrated incredible combat prowess throughout Greek mythology. I've always been Team Zeus when it comes to these discussions, and I'll tell you why. The game's design philosophy of distinct zones with minimal criss-crossing actually mirrors how I imagine their battle would unfold—separate domains of power where each deity would dominate in their respective territory. Just like in that metroidvania where I completed about 85% of one area before moving forward, each god would bring their full arsenal to bear before the conflict potentially shifted locations.

Picture this: we're on Mount Olympus, where Zeus commands the very air around him. I'm talking about lightning bolts that can shatter mountains, storm clouds that darken entire continents, and winds that could strip the flesh from bones. In his domain, Zeus is practically unstoppable. The game I played had these wonderfully defined areas where you felt the rules changed slightly—that's exactly how I envision Zeus's advantage on his home turf. He once defeated the entire Titan army practically single-handedly, which if we're counting, would be at least 12 powerful deities according to most sources. That's not just power—that's overwhelming force.

But then there's Hades. Oh man, Hades doesn't get enough credit in these discussions. If the battle moved to the underworld, the tables would turn dramatically. Remember how in that metroidvania, backtracking was possible but not constantly necessary? That's like Hades' strategic advantage—he can draw opponents into his realm where his power multiplies exponentially. The Helm of Darkness makes him practically invisible, and in his own domain, he commands countless spirits and monsters. I'd estimate his undead army numbers in the millions, maybe billions if we count all the souls throughout history. The structured progression between game areas reminds me of how Hades would methodically leverage his home advantage, just like completing one "stage" before another.

Here's where my personal bias comes in though—I think Zeus takes this 7 out of 10 times. The game's refreshing approach to minimizing backtracking between areas reflects how Zeus would likely prevent Hades from dragging the battle into the underworld. Zeus's lightning moves at approximately 270,000 mph according to my rough calculations, which means Hades wouldn't even see the attack coming. And let's not forget Zeus's mastery over other domains—he can influence earth, sea, and even the underworld to some extent. The visual distinction between game areas reminds me of how differently these brothers operate—Zeus all flash and overwhelming power, Hades more methodical and strategic.

The metroidvania's design philosophy of completing areas before moving forward makes me think the battle would have clear phases. First, the aerial assault where Zeus dominates. Then perhaps a ground battle where things become more equal. Finally, if it reaches the underworld, Hades might gain the upper hand. But here's my take—Zeus wouldn't let it get that far. He's too smart, too experienced in warfare. He defeated Cronus and the Titans in a war that lasted ten years according to most accounts. That's strategic patience combined with overwhelming power.

What I loved about that game's structure was how each area felt complete yet connected to the whole. Similarly, each god brings unique abilities to this hypothetical conflict. Zeus has his Aegis shield that can create storms powerful enough to darken skies across entire nations. Hades has that bident that can shake the earth and summon fissures that swallow entire cities. But when I tally up all the factors—speed, raw power, battle experience, and mythological feats—I keep coming back to Zeus. The game minimized unnecessary backtracking, and similarly, Zeus would minimize Hades' opportunities to use his underworld advantages.

In the end, much like how I appreciated the game's refreshing take on metroidvania structure, I appreciate how this mythical matchup makes us reconsider these gods beyond their primary domains. The structured progression between distinct zones in the game mirrors how this divine battle would likely unfold—with clear advantages shifting based on location, but ultimately culminating in Zeus's victory through superior combat prowess and control of the battlefield. Just as the game knew when to let me backtrack and when to push forward, Zeus would know exactly when to press his advantage and when to hold back. That strategic wisdom, combined with literally god-like power, is why I believe the king of Olympus would emerge victorious from this brotherly clash.