As I think someone else stated, a more interesting path for the story would be for the companions you passed on to resurface later, as enemies or just npcs (ideally, to a greater extent than was done in DOS2). Without a story line that supports it, having all the characters at your beck and call makes them shallow. At least in DAI, for example, you are the “chosen one” or whatever (a grossly hackneyed premise by now), so I guess the idea of all the unused companions just hanging around home base isn’t completely ridiculous. So far in BG3, though,it seems the main player isn’t any more special than any of the other characters. So why would they hang around waiting for you to throw them a bone?
This is easily rectified by not having them wait in camp - like the original games, they could have them wait in predetermined areas outside of camp (hometowns, random taverns, areas in the wilderness, etc). I believe it was the EEs that introduced having them wait at a single common point for easy pick up if you so desired. It worked.
Camp, tavern, etc. All the same. Doesn't really answer why they would be waiting on the player's summons.
I feel that it worked in the original games, because it gives the impression of, and allows the player the fantasy of these members going about their daily lives in a different location. While I'm not with them in my own party I can sort of imagine that they're going about their own lives in a different location while also maintaining the player need to be able to call on them whenever needed. I feel that this is much more preferable than simply not allowing the player to access them at all. Early on in the BG saga there's no huge reason why a lot of companions would be necessarily waiting around for the main character either, but they do. Sometimes those reasons are spelled out (Jaheira and Khalid being asked to help by Gorion) and sometimes it's a simple desire to adventure. It's a small conceit but it works and gives the player flexibility.
But yes, I wouldn't disagree that having them all in camp is sort of shallow but not a major issue in my opinion. If they're all infected with the tadpole though, that makes more sense. I'm wondering if all of the companions will be infected or if there are others who are adventuring for other reasons.
Last edited by CandrianIllborne; 24/09/2008:38 PM.
