This thread will get locked. However, I have to say that I never played DOTA, played Demigod first and now play HoN.
The games are similar and I would side that Demigod is like the light version compared to the full fat of HoN\DOTA.
Demigod is a strategy game, HoN is a tactics game.
Personally, I am glad I played Demigod as it introduced me to the genre. However, personally for me, HoN is the better game. It does require a lot more skill than Demigod, I have put in about as many hours on both games. Demigod, I know my way around, nothing surprises me, I can be outplayed but I know why. HoN I am still a complete n00b, the game is fast and exciting, skills have to fired off quickly and you need good awareness.
I think it is fair to say, that to become a good Demigod player is not as hard as being a good HoN player. Also, HoN is a lot more balanced on team makeup. There are no big problems of PUG vs Pick-up, because A) the community is huge (compare 250 current open lobbies to 1),
a good player can carry a team of bad players and C) games are always played in 5v5 not 3v3. Demigod does suffer from a lot more from one bad team member syndrome.
The argument that balance is out of whack in DOTA\HoN is not true, all heroes are useful, yes there is tiering, but it is no different to the fact that Queen of Thorns in this game is lower tier compared to Unclean Beast.
I think Stardock did the best they could with the game and it was a risk. I am guessing it paid off for them, however, likely not as much as they would like. I also believe that Demigod was unlikely to succeed competivively, no matter what was done for it. There is a section of the community that do not like micro, however, nearly all successful competitive games are micro intensive (or have "mini-game" elements), that is what the large majority of hardcore gamer want to have so they can seperate themselves from the crowd. If it only takes a few months to become pro, people will get bored. If it takes years and years of practice it will keep people hooked.
This is true across all genres, Starcraft, CounterStrike, Streetfighter IV etc. All have elements where in depth knowledge is needed and the ability to be able to micro can make a large difference.