Yes. I think one of the biggest strengths of BG1&2 was tying gameplay progression to the narrative - Seeing our character progress from a lost child to godhood was greatly satisfying - companions also fit that, with some of them getting to grow with you (Aerie springs to mind). I think, too often RPGs treat leveling as disconnected gameplay feature. PoEs are guilty of the opposite - in spite of numerical power our character gains, I never felt narratively they moved forward.
Seeing the bombastic and badass companions I am expecting BG3 to miss it. If we start with fireworks and awesome characters, there isn't much space to grow. It's a late action/RPG Bioware approach, rather then BG1&2/KOTOR/Jade Empire Bioware.
