I think you’ve pretty much summed it up, but in case you ever want to read 100s more opinions, this is a topic that’s been debated pretty extensively:
While you can’t please everyone, it is possible to offer a middle ground where customization is optional. People who want it get it, and people who don’t can skip it. For example,
- I don’t stop to look in the mirror. (leave appearance undefined)
- I take a moment to look in the mirror. (set appearance; affects small amounts of flavor text)
If you only have 3-4 appearance variables, you can also reduce friction by putting all the choices on one page.
The coding for that isn’t fun, but I think simple appearance questions are a great use for that particular CS feature.
ETA: I remembered there’s actually a template for that exact thing