So the obvious narrative cycle is weakness>team of convenience>discovery&revelation>acceptance/rejection.
None of that can happen when Astarion walks in practically wearing a nametag that reads 'posh day-walking vampire.' That's not to pick on him. All of these characters need to be toned way thafuk down. A lot of the creative decisions bite against the narrative we're being fed, but the lowest hanging fruit is the over-the-top high fantasy equipment. You can't accept the idea that 'we're all in this together' when everyone else is wearing what looks like late-game armor in any other franchise. I can't discover/decide accept Astarion as a vampire when in the first scene he is wearing a uniform for vampires which is a thing that eats everyone else.
More than the artstyle, it's just the attitude of your companions. Even if they were dressed as peasants from WoW, the way they constantly antagonize me would result in a kick from the party / murder in a few seconds. Unfortunately for EA it seems we're stuck with them.
Remember those conventions or one shots where you realize you're stuck at a table full of wangrods and players wanting to break the DM just for funsies ? That's pretty much how I'm feeling with those companions.
