Before you start playing a game?

I generally want to know what type of game it is (RPG) and how many characters there are. If I can, I'll also look for playable female characters because I guess I identify with them more and I enjoy playing female characters more.

Sometimes I'll try and see what the gameplay is like, but its not as necessary as the other two things.

Do you like to know a lot before you play a game or do you like to go in as blindly as possible?