How to Kill Zeus in God of War 3 on Hard Mode

Part I

• 1

  Approach the center of the room with Pandora's Box and move the crank as far as you can to start a cut-scene. Zeus will attack you once it is over. Follow the on-screen button prompts to repel his attacks.

• 2

  Combat Zeus in the two-dimensional area and inflict as much damage as possible. Avoid all of his attacks, as they will hit for a great deal of damage.

• 3

  Counter his three-part punching combo with the Golden Fleece by holding the "L1" button and then hitting the "Square" button just before he lands his first or second attack. Dodge the final punch if you were unable to counter, because it cannot be blocked. Alternatively, you can jump over Zeus when he begins this combo and hit him from behind.

• 4

  Run underneath Zeus when he starts using his lightning ability and hit him from below.

• 5

  Follow the on-screen prompts when they appear over Zeus' head to finish this part of the fight. Another cut-scene will occur.

Part II

• 6

  Save your game and follow Zeus outside onto the circular platform to start the next part of the fight.

• 7

  Counter whatever abilities you can and dodge the others. Use magic or the Blade of Olympus to end the fight quickly.

• 8

  Use the Army of Sparta ability to make yourself invincible for a portion of the fight as he is very hard to dodge and can quickly kill you.

• 9

  Continue fighting Zeus until Gaia appears. She will destroy the building and both you and Zeus will end up inside her chest.

Part III

• 10

  Follow the vine paths through Gaia's chest until you reach her heart. This will be familiar, as Kratos has been here earlier in the game.

• 11

  Destroy the crystals and vines that surround Gaia's heart and strike her heart to gain some health. Zeus will arrive and another fight with him will begin.

• 12

  Combat Zeus again. Dodge his attacks and hit him as much as possible. He is faster this time around, so be careful of his rapid counterattacks. Destroy his clones whenever he creates them to fill up your mana and Rage of Sparta bars.

• 13

  Prevent him from striking Gaia's heart and regenerating his health by striking him as soon as he makes a run for it.

• 14

  Begin the onscreen prompt combo when a button symbol appears over his head. Hit each button as it appears on the screen until you impale both Zeus and Gaia's heart. A cut-scene will follow and you will appear in a new area.

Part IV

• 15

  Approach the sword lying on the ground in front of you and press the buttons that appear on screen when Zeus attacks you. When it is over you will descend into darkness.

• 16

  Follow the trail of blood in the dark world to experience numerous memories from Kratos's past. When he jumps off a high cliff into a sea of blood, swim towards the blue flame until you reach Pandora's Box. Open it to return to where Zeus attacked you.

• 17

  Fight Zeus for the last time in first-person perspective using your "Triangle" and "Circle" attacks. This is a very easy fight to finish.

• 18

  Hit the "Circle" button repeatedly after Kratos grabs Zeus to finish him off. A cut-scene will play after the god is dead.