Since your goal is to have a strong tank character, you start looking at stats. You decide that the easiest way to choose is to pick the one with the highest strength and stamina stats. Without even checking the species, you select an option. The weird vertigo-ish sensation comes through again, and you find yourself taller than what you were. Something else feels weird too.
As you look in the mirrors, you are shocked to find that under your human torso is the body of a horse. You must have picked [Centaur]. But that wasn't the only surprise. As you reach up to feel your flat chest and stubbly chin, you realize you're not just any centaur, but a stallion. Despite your apparent solitude in the customization portal, you definitely weren't going to confirm your gender the other way. Who knew if anyone was actually watching; maybe the developers had a feed. Anyway, you were pretty certain you were now a male character.
A little annoyed, you reach out to switch your gender back to female, but then pause. You ended up as a male centaur because you were going by provided stats, and female strength and stamina are slightly less in the display, although agility and wisdom are increased. However, you are pretty sure Judy would handle the stuff that required smarts. Your job would be as a meat shield, so it would be best to pick your character accordingly, even if it means being male. Who cares, anyway, it's just VR.
Making your decision, you confirm your selection and go into the detailed customization options. You don't spend much time on appearance, and select every option that raises your stats, picking a large horse breed as your lower body, and increasing your upper body muscles. It makes you a little slower, but you'll have more HP. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean you don't pay any attention to your looks. You don't want an ugly character, so you select a nice dark color for your hair/mane and coat, a rakish face, and golden eyes.
You lift and drop each hoof and swish your tail, making sure you understand how to move on four legs in this game. For VR, it is incredibly realistic. Therefore, you don't want to show up in front of Judy and fall flat on your face because you have two extra legs.
Finally satisfied, as you scratch behind your equine ears, you confirm all selections and hit the button that says [START GAME]. The mirrors and white room ripple out of existence, and suddenly you find yourself...