Superb post. Completely agree.
I very HIGHLY DOUBT that this is because of EA. This is a clear trait of Larian games, as DOS2 clearly proves this. In the open world companions are stagnant cardboard cut outs to your actions until you go to camp where they <magically> sorta interact.
Man, Pathfinder Wotr is shaping up to be amazing in that.... and many more aspects lol.
I am still salty about missing the train when it comes to supporting PF: WotR. I have lurked around their wiki page and every time it is mentioned I am there with my opera glasses like: "O o O". Can't wait! \o/
Meanwhile, imma give Solasta, Tyranny, Wasteland 3 and BG2 a shot (while lurking about here as usual). :] And I been considering giving DA:I a try (since I now finished DA:O), but I've had a lot of warnings that DA:I seems to be mostly disappointing in a lot of aspects- so it is on lower priority than the titles mentioned before.