Another perspective, this from Kovac: Most viewers I’d imagine focus on the Game, VR, imagined and actual world aspects, but the film is loaded with religous and after life similies,such as Ash’s journey to true Avalon only happened with the aid of a “holy man” well to be exact “bishop”, the two angels in the avalon centre…one with the head missing, but then complete when she goes to Avalon (that tiny flash at the end when the angelic girl smiles, maybe seen as her acceptance to a world of peace, the “nine sisters” no longer a threat), The priest who is Ash’s advisor or games master, The “babel” like tower where Bishop reveals the truth, the unreturned; being the truly “damned”, Avalon being the island where all warriors rested in peace, the game being a test to attain “class real”…all could be a pointer to a struggle through purgatory to achieve spiritual peace…. I believe the “game” aspect is used as a metaphor for differing realities…After all the only “real” world we see is at the very end where it says “Welcome to Avalon” (and we dont see that)