So you prefer playing as another gender?

Well, as a guy, I've been asked multiple times why I systematically play games female characters in video games, to the point of skipping a game if I'm forced to pay a male one, with a few exceptions (I really liked Albus from Troubleshooters for example). Whenever there's romance in a game, I'll also take the F/F route. Yet, I don't think I fetishize those in general. There's a thing about not liking most M characters in games, but also something about playing someone really different from who I am. We've had an interesting conversation about this with my gf who always plays F characters and woyd never play M.

Although I'm a straight guy, I've always more identified to female friends and characters, although I have a few male friends too. So I'm wondering who else does that (playing a character not matching your gender), and if you found your own explanation.

Edit : It's not really an oversexualization drive for me, I try to play a female character that looks like me, even though I've never thought about actually becoming a woman.

Edit 2 : So far, I think we have, hmm..

1. Playing someone that differs from one's irl identity
2. Physical Attractivity
3. Male character writing and design
4. Lara Croft effect
5. Lady Dwarf