I too liked BG 1's down to earth approach to companions including 2 Zhentarims, a Drow cleric and ranger from Rashaman who talks to his pet hamster. BG 2 as well, with Jan Jansen.
Forgive me my sarcasm but the companions in the original BG games also had their problems. Whilst I don't think the companions in BG 3 are great, I don't think BG 1 is an example of a game with good, down to earth, non "comic relief" companions either. If I was to use an example of a game with "down to earth" companions, I would have gone with Dragon Age 1.
