As far as the hard-arse variety are concerned, as much as I liked Mass Effect, I did find that Shepard was a bit too shouty to really represent "me".
I noticed this real quick. Male is macho...female is butchish.
I'm willing to argue that male or female shepard is just a stereotype military solider. Which to be fair is what she is. And the stereotype for that is a loud, shouty, tough person. That a female can't be this way without being considered butchish is a bit sexist in and of itself I feel.
I don't mind my character being male or female if that is what the story calls for. The Witcher and Primal being examples of this. If the game is going to let me customize or create a character then I feel I should be able to choose either gender. And that both gender should be treated equally. Though I'll choose female almost 90% if given the option.
