it depends, if the setting is done so that i can relate something to her then yeah
like i was able to enjoy some tomb raider action but then again your not really questing for anything other then treasure
but i cant think of a game with a lead character of a girl that i played and went after guy and enjoyed
name a couple and i will see
but to me if Dead Space was about questing after a Guy instead of a girl there would be a drastic drop in the emotional pull department b/c the connection just wouldn't be there