I usually play as a male character the first time around, and a female the second to see if the game is any different. If the game doesn't give me a choice, I don't care what gender the character is, as long as its a good character. I don't think its weird to play a character if the opposite gender, but some people make it weird. I knew a kid who always paused smash bros to take pictures of ZS Samus, and my room mate freshmen yeah played as a female character with the least amount of clothing possible whenever he could.