Hello!
I have been really enjoying the game that I have played so far! And I am super excited to see where all it goes. I have one suggestion I would like to make. (If other people have addressed it, forgive me). So this is my official suggestion! I think that we shouldn't be locked to a single party after act 1. I would love to be able to continue to swap party members around and interact with them for the entire campaign. Below are a few points for why I have listed.
1) Forced Replaying. 5 companions are already in EA, and I know that more are going to be added. I don't know the numbers, but my personal guess is somewhere between 8 & 12 total. Thus, if I wanted to experience the story & character development of each companion, I would need to replay the game 3+ times (assuming that I play a custom character each time). While I'm not against replaying a game, unfortunately I am an adult, and don't have the time to replay this game as much as I might like to. I would like to be able to have a full experience of the characters, and their stories through the game, without having to replay the game multiple times. Sure, I might replay it more than once, but either way, a locked party is more like locking a good chunk of the game away.
2) Party Composition. I think an example best explains this point. E.g. I really want my custom character to be a wizard. However, I really like Gale. After act 1, I would have to make a choice. Either have two wizards in my party, or get rid of Gale. I feel like this is a forced choice that doesn't add much to the actual game, when instead you could be allowed to have a party comp you enjoy playing, while still able to interact with the characters you want.
3) Locked Parties sucks some of the fun away. I would like the full enjoyment of the game when I first truly get to playing it once it releases. However, if I am put in a situation where I have 8 companions and maybe I really like 4 or 5 of them, either way I have to get rid of two companions I really like just because my party doesn't fit it. Instead, I would love to see each companion throughout the story of the game. Party interactions, and companion interactions are probably one of my favorite things about RPGs, and restricting it after Act 1 would really diminish the enjoyment of it. Plus, there are situations where I might really dislike a character, but I really want to see their story, and progression. I may not want them in my party all the time, but I want them in my camp.
4) Flexibility & playing with party comps. I like to shake up my party occasionally. It helps when I feel like I hit a rut, or things get stagnant. So, one thing I sometimes like to do with change my party comp. It shakes things up, it stimulates my mind, it is something I like to do. I like to play around with builds, and party composition ideas. However, if the party is locked, then I am heavily restricted with this, except through hirelings. But hirelings are largely flavorless companions. I wouldn't want to give up a flavorful companion and their interactions, for a flavorless hireling. I also like to adapt to circumstances. I like to bring companions who I think might have some interesting interactions with characters. Like bringing the vampire when dealing with vampires, for example. However, if I am locked out, then for 2 acts I am stuck with my party and lose out on so much cool story and interactions. If I want to try a different party comp out, a companion leaves, dies, or something else, I either can't cause I have no one to swap with, or I have to use a hireling, which is lacking in personality and flavor.
5) Personal preference. Personally, companions are my favorite part about the role-playing aspect of roleplaying games. I like the party dynamics, interactions. I like characters getting upset with my decisions or approving of them. I already got some eye rolls from Shadowheart, and Lae'zel already shared her disapproval of my actions. It made me roll my eyes in turn, and I liked it. Just as I liked my character gelling with Asterion, or Wyll. I would like to experience it fully, rather than partially. I would like to see the dynamics of all the companions through the game, and not just a select 3, just because they might work better for my party comp.
6) DOS2. I will be up front, I didn't like this design decision in DOS2. However, It was more forgivable in that game, as you had only 6 options (not counting DLC). While it did hurt me to cut 3 of the companions, because I REALLY wanted to see all of their perspectives, and haven't gotten around to playing it again yet, I dealt with it. Because it was what it was. But here, the game is in Early Access, and you have requested feedback, so now here is mine. Please allow those of us that want all the companions to remain in our party, that wish to, to keep them in our camp, and to be able to swap companions out after Act 1. I don't think a locked party adds to the experience, but takes away from it. A companion dying, might add to it. Not being allowed to have more than 3 companions in your camp (not counting followers) after Act 1, just because you have to "commit," doesn't add to it. Here, we already have 5, and I am already torn as I consider the options. Adding more companions, that I have to get rid of for 2/3 of the game, leaves a sour taste in my mouth. (Having said that, I did really enjoy DOS2. I just didn't like that design choice).
Edit: In DOS2, there was no class system. You could adapt any companion to be any role, and any build. Such is not the case in BG3.
Conclusion, I hope it doesn't come across as me ranting or anything. And hopefully I got my point across. I just wanted to share my opinions, and suggestions on this topic. I am also greatly interested in hearing your (Larian's) reason for the limitation post act 1. Perhaps I can get on board with your reasoning? Either way, I intend to play the game at launch, and to be along for the ride of EA.
All the love, and helpful songs of a hopeful Baldur's Gate 3 bard,
Vilthus
Last edited by Vilthus; 15/10/20 02:45 AM.
