I love games where you can express yourself through creative builds - any suggestions for overlooked/deep cut examples?

I've been thinking about why I've been a lifelong fan of the Pokémon games and Magic the Gathering, and I think a big factor is how customisable they are to play. Rather than play progression being linear or finding a path of 'optimal' builds, you're given more options to work with, and the ability to entirely switch up what you're running over time. You can play alongside a friend and you'll both come up with entirely different builds. You could come up with a build around an aesthetic theme and potentially still whip ass.

I've been on the hunt for other games from past and present that allow the same kind of creative build expression, I've really enjoyed working through the Mega Man Battle Network and Star Force series, Monster Hunter, the recent Cassette Beasts and was pleasantly surprised to see that itch scratched in Metaphor ReFantazio with how skill inheritance works.

Does anyone have other recommendations for games that encourage creative builds? I am the most used to RPGs and Deckbuilders, but I'm interested in any genre as long as it encourages rebuilding and experimentation. I've played a few deckbuilder roguelikes, but they lack the long-term tinkering I really enjoy. Games on old hardware are totally fine.