[Duckzero]

warning: i didn't proof read this at all.

I don't know if I can add anything particularly useful to the discussion, but the concept of a Messiah game is an interesting one. I don't necessarily know what game could stand as a model or anything near it. I do like SOTC, from what I've played (I still need to beat it), and HL2, i've never touched (I don't have a PC to run it). So my view may be a bit off.

The thing about SOTC as a complete game is the fact that the gameplay is something so Clash of the Titans that everyone can digest the gameplay and story. The reason I use Clash of the Titans is that my roomie's BF will sit there and watch me play games, but one of the few times he actually truly, truly immersed himself in my gameplay was with SOTC. The small hero, the giant monsters, the princess, and the Gods. It's all there, and by "it" it's the stuff that we were forced to read about in high school with the Greek plays. It is truly fantastic stuff. He would have had more fun playing, but again, he believes that video games are still childish. Which brings me to my next point.

Harry Potter does so incredibly well, not because it's well written, nor does it have even that great of a story, not because the characters have a large amount of depth, it's because for most adults (who are the people that provide the reviews), it's the first fantasy novel they have read since 6th grade. Therefore the happy memories of <insert> are reinvigorated, producing a smash hit. Harry Potter is almost the "Messiah" (I guess you could argue the Bible there also, but that's a different story) of books. It can be marketed to children, adults are not afraid to pick it up and enjoy it, and most of all it's profitable for the publisher.

I will end by saying that I believe that Steel Battalion does a great job of linking the gamer to the avatar.
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Keepin' it real like Oatmeal