Used and Manipulated

I am wanting to take my idea further than just the player being the one in control and manipulating the character. I don't think this relates well to my idea or gets that real feeling of control, especially with absurdity. This is why I have looked at it being absurd by the character revealed as the one who is in fact the real puppet master, pulling the player along for its own personal gain. I have constructed a basis of it so far:

I am to have the player see this puzzle world and have a need to fix it but only because this is what the character wants from the player. The character wants the player to guide it along the puzzle world for benefits unknown to the player at the current time. Only once the puzzle is completed will the real puppet master be revealed and the character's true form shown. Once the player realises this they will be shocked to know that they have been manipulated by a digital character in a game.

http://freestylebit.com/sites/christina/images/illustration_hi/Manipulated.jpg

I see the execution of the beginning and the end to be vital parts to the game. The puzzle itself will have to draw the player into aiding the character and once the puzzle is complete the player will need to feel as if they have been manipulated and used. At present I am not sure how I can execute this in such a crucial way but am hoping throughout the production of my game, thorough research and critical feedback from others there will be a better understanding to how I can pull that off.

Concept drawing of the dog-coyote like figure. By Sam Reddington.

To bring forth some metaphorical reference to what is visually displayed I have thought of including some mythological resemblance and meaning to the game, specifically Native American mythology. The character in my game has many traits of a trickster and could be put to good use as resembling this in the form of a known trickster such as a coyote or raven. If it was to resemble a coyote and have a dog like figure then it could be seen as both. First as the player sees it; a dog that obeys and listens to commands without question. Or as its true form; a coyote that is tricking the player to complete the puzzle. The game could include puzzle obstacles such as the Thunderbird which is known to be an enemy to the coyote.  

The coyote is to start out fragile and weak, barely being able to move. As the puzzle becomes closer to completion, the coyote will be getting stronger and stronger as it has more control over the player. This is impacting the world itself, which starts out vibrant and full of life but then is slowly becoming dead and colourless.

References

“The History of Dogs and Native Americans - Page 1”, n.d. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/the-history-of-dogs-and-native-americans/page1.aspx.Wikipedia contributors. 

“Thunderbird (mythology).” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., August 10, 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunderbird_(mythology)&oldid=506784700.———. 

“Trickster.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., August 20, 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trickster&oldid=504205987.