Back when the idea of character customization was first introduced, players would be lucky if they had more then three different hairstyles to choose between. Being able to make changes to individual facial features was unheard of and many games didn't even allow players to choose the gender of their character. We've come a long way since then.
Modern customization mechanics allow players to create almost anything they can conceive and Cyberpunk 2077 looks set to push the boat out further still. Many are excited to see just how deep the game's customization will go, but, thanks to the recent delay, they'll have to wait a little longer to find out. In the meantime though, there are plenty of other top titles with extensive character customization settings to keep them busy until Cyberpunk 2077 finally arrives.
10 The Sims 4
The Sims has always excelled when it comes to character customization. As well as being able to dictate what characters look like, it's also possible to assign stats that determine how the characters will behave. With each game, the functionality has seen a noticeable improvement making the latest entry the pick of the bunch.
Pretty much everything about a character can be tweaked in The Sims 4, allowing for some of the most realistic Sims to date. Now, anybody wishing to recreate their own families can do so with a level of detail that will lead to them all being recognizable by appearance rather than just their names. It doesn't have to be family either, with many creating their favorite movie or tv stars.
9 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Although the character customization functions found in the Dragon Ball Xenoverse games limit players a lot more than many of their contemporaries, they offer something that none of the others can. Inspired by Akira Toriyama's wonderful art style, it's possible to choose between pretty much every species to have ever featured in Dragon Ball.
There are countless combinations available and, although most players tend to gravitate towards the Saiyan model, it's incredibly rare to find somebody else in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 with the exact same avatar. Well, these days it's rare to find anybody in the game at all, but the aforementioned was still the case even when the servers were busy.
8 Soulcalibur 6
It's unusual for a fighting game to feature extensive character customization options, but it's something that's becoming a lot more common these days. The WWE games have been doing it well for quite a few years now, but perhaps the best example in the genre can be found in the form of the Soulcalibur series.
The series has featured console specific guest fighters since the second entry, but took the idea a step further for Soulcalibur 3 by including a fighter creator. The customization options have become more refined with each additional game and are currently some of the best in the business. Now, if players are unhappy with the guest characters, they can just create their own.
7 Bloodborne
Although the number of options available in Bloodborne's customization menu is fairly standard for modern times, it's through its execution that the system really stands out. In other games, some of the combinations available can lead to some incredibly unnatural creations. For the most part though, this isn't the case in Bloodborne.
All of the usual suspects are included when it comes to things that can be tweaked, with particular attention being paid to the face. It's possible to alter all of the key facial features to create almost any person imaginable. Players should be prepared to watch their creations die many many times though. With this in mind, it's probably best not to create friends or family.
6 Fallout 4
The Fallout series has always been great when it comes to character customization. It's been a feature since the very first Fallout title and has been included in every game since. What's perhaps most impressive about the first game is that players are able to select their character's gender. That's something that's often taken for granted these days, but, back in 1997, it was far from a given.
As once might expect, Fallout 4 is the best in the series when it comes to the customization options available. Practically every aspect of the character's appearance can be tweaked, allowing for some wonderful post-apocalyptic creations. It's also possible to tweak stats and attributes that will then dictate the character's abilities.
5 Monster Hunter World
Monster Hunter World allows players to change pretty much everything about their character. This can lead to some fairly realistic creations, but, more often than not, it's used to produce some of nature's greatest abominations. That's all part of the fun though.
Capcom clearly put a lot of effort into the character creation settings and the results are there for all to see. Many beloved video game characters having been recreated in the game, as have countless celebrities and sports stars. Between this and all of the game's other content, Monster Hunter World promises to keep players busy for quite some time.
4 AION
It's been nearly 12 years since AION first released, but, despite this, its customization options are still up there with the very best. When the game first launch, it changed the way that players thought about character customization, with the game offering far more depth than anything else on the market at that time.
Although other games have caught up a little since then, AION's influence can be seen right across the industry. It's a shame that the game was unable to make as much of an impact in the West as it did in Korea, but those who've played it will know that there are very few games that are better when it comes to character creation.
3 Skyrim
The customization options found in many of the earlier Elder Scrolls games were a little lackluster, but that's certainly not a criticism that could ever be levied against Skyrim. Just as games like Minecraft allow players to build any structure that a player can conceive, Skyrim's customization allows for pretty much every combination of characteristics imaginable.
From sweet and slender to scary and hairy, practically everything is possible in Skyrim. Thanks to some rather resourceful modders, these options have been expanded upon further still, allowing for a truly unique customization experience. Given the amount of time that can be sunk into the game, it only makes sense to be able to play it using the perfect character.
2 Dragon's Dogma
Although the story and game play found in Dragon's Dogma are good, it's the extensive customization options that make it a game worth playing. Through creating both the game's protagonist and their pawn, players are treated to an incredibly personal journey that feels unique even during their tenth play through. That bodes well, as the sequel that fans have been craving is still to arrive.
It's perhaps for this reason that some found the recently released Netflix adaptation of the show to be a little underwhelming. Although the story was very much in keeping with the game's world, its main protagonist lacked that personal touch that comes through having been created by the consumer. It's this that makes the game stand out as one that's drastically improved by its customizability.
1 Dragon Age: Inquisition
Players must first pick their race and class before being given access to what is one of the most comprehensive character creators in all of gaming. The team went above and beyond when putting it together and included things that most people wouldn't even think of. There really isn't much that can't be tweaked or changed providing near limitless possibilities. Even if those limits are somehow found, there are plenty of great mods to surpass them.
Although Dragon Age: Inquisition marks a big step forward from Dragon Age II, one of the nice things about it is that it still maintains many of the older options and sliders. It undoubtedly provides a lot more depth, but it remains familiar enough that anybody wishing to recreate their character from the previous game will be able to do so with ease. Other big franchises like WoW could really learn a thing or two about customization from Dragon Age.