I don't know....you could have a cookie cutter The One You Don't or you could have a handgun that you "grew" with that is customized to you. Both could have pretty close stats or something...but it also adds a lot of flavor to your gear and characters. Put this with naming of your gear and character as well as adding the barbershop as well as a paintshop for your sparrow and ship and you've got a TON of customization.

This is true. Still, I think there could be some happy medium between the careful balance necessary and the progression that would allow players to feel more invested.