Actraiser (SNES, 1991)

The Super Nintendo is a console that has many games that are revered as groundbreaking classics.  Games like Super Metroid, Star Fox, and Chrono Trigger are held as the definitive classics that shaped the modern gaming world.  One title that is often overlooked in this category is Actraiser (1991).  It was developed by Enix (who also created the Dragon Quest/Warrior series) and Quintet, two companies who would come together to make some of the most underrated gems on the SNES.
It is difficult to classify Actraiser in a specific genre, since it mixes qualities of platformers, RPGs, even city simulators.  You play as the god of a planet that has ceased to trust you, since in your silence demons (from hell, presumably) have taken their reign.  In order to regain the faith of the humans, you must take physical form and fight the hellspawn yourself.  Your only assistant is a tiny angel.  To begin, you must rid the first village of Fillmore of evil.
This is where the platforming comes in.  Your spirit occupies a statue which comes to life and fights in side scrolling action stages.  These sections are par for the course of games of the time, but what makes them stand out is the art style and music.  One thing that always set Enix/Quintet games apart from the crowd is their amazing compositions which take full advantage of the SNES's 16-channel sound chip.  The music and visuals are colorful, Gothic, and exciting.  After slaying the demon at the end of the dark forest, you move on to the next part of the gameplay.
Two human followers are spawned in Fillmore and your angel is tasked with guiding the progress of their town and protecting them from the monsters that threaten it.  This is where the play of the game changes dramatically.  Suddenly you are flying in all directions, shooting down monsters with your bow and arrow and directing followers to build their village.  The more believers you gain, the stronger you get.
The amount of religious symbolism, theology, and imagery in this old game is astounding.  this was in a time when Nintendo was determined to avoid as much controversy as possible.  They would remove any violence, cussing, and religious items from games released in the United States.  For instance, in Final Fantasy in Japan, you go to a church to revive fallen comrades.  In the North American release, the cross was removed from the building and it was remodeled into a hospital.  It is amazing that Actraiser was allowed to see the light of day with all of its overt religious themes.  Religion is a controversial topic to this day, but the game is smart enough not to declare itself any specific denomination.  It is more a study of faith, and the relationship between god and follower.