Think about it, when have you ever played any kind of game or RPG where all the character creation does is change the player's appearance? I do get some people like that but I've noticed a very consistent pattern of more customisation options usually means the devs have spent too much time on that rather than the gameplay and story.
There's also the other factor of these little background tag stories they try to introduce like with religion or lifepaths. They gives you the impression this is suppose to be some kind of meaningful choice but in reality all it does is change a few dialogue responses and has very little effect on the main story itself. It feels like there are certain mechanics I see regularly getting shoehorned into genres that don't belong in it and they're meant for a certain type of person that isn't really that interested in gameplay and more interested in cosmetics and general customisation.
Wrestling games come to mind; expansive character options in terms of both looks and stats which affect the game and even the story.
I also liked the Ogre Battle/Tactics Ogre system where, while not directly affecting your appearance, you were asked a series of morality questions which affected your alignment and starting units and actually had an effect on your story paths (although you could modify your alignment with in-game choices).
I was just about to mention wrestling games.
It's been twenty years since Knight of Lodis came out, and I'm still looking for another tactics game that scratches that itch half as well.