In BG, companions weren't really standing out either.
Eh? All companions in BG2 had a quest line attached, some major, some minor, some EPIC even (Nalia quest is certainly not just a 20minute romp) and even leads you to a player home if you are playing it with certain classes. Cern quest has an entire 5+ hr druidic plot line attached... etc. etc. etc.
Circus (Aerie) is even introduced to you when you exit the dungeon, and a young boy approaches you and asks you to rescue his mother to further announce that this might be a quest player should be doing. So how can you possible say they didn't stand out?
Every single companion in BG2 had a reason of existence and purpose and place. None of them (aside from your starting crew) were simple pick-me-ups. And all of them had quests attached. Some even
very extensive ones.
Now don't get me wrong. BG2 is the pinnacle of RPG and D:OS does not have the funds to ever approach it... but companions can be announced and linked to the world they are in. In D:OS companions are simple pick-me-ups that follow you nearly automatically. And some of them are hidden out of the way. In places you may have no reason to ever enter (library)
So this makes that a very strong contrast between D:OS and BG2 imo.... companions most certainly stood out in BG2. All of them had unique sprites, armor or coloration for one... all of them had unique quests.
