It would have been no problem if there was a variety of likeable and unlikable personalities, but in WotR all companions fall into either "detestable" or "annoying" categories. No single character I would have liked to have as a friend if they were living in real life. Regarding the older characters in BG2, I've never looked at those characters in terms of writing, they always existed as combat companions because every single quest in BG2 had to be solved by hitting someone on the head. But I cannot say that all of them were not likeable, but Mincs for me was actually annoying, never liked that hamster nonsense.
Surely you realize how subjective that is, right? Personally I don't find "all companions in WotR to be detestable or annoying". Some I like, some I don't but I try to judge them on the basis of coherence (are they true to the way they are presented? Is their development believable?) and the quality of their quest (the extra content they provide basically).
On that basis, here's my opinion:
-Camellia: I dislike her but she certainly coherent in her evolution in game, she also adds a lot in terms of shock value (did anyone expect her to be what she is?). Her personal quest is not particularly long but it is poignant for her character. -Seelah: I find her bland. She's a paladin but she also likes to party... well cool I guess? Aside from that she doesn't add much to the game imo. Her personal quest doesn't either and doesn't add much (a couple extra encounters and a small extra dungeon). -Lann: It's interestig because his character is strictly tied to his mortality. He knows he's going to die young and in that regard the decisions he takes make pretty good sense. His development may vary depending on the mythic path you take. -Ember: I get why some people don't like her but personally I think she brings quite an unique prospective to the game. The point of her character is that she is a living saint even without mythic powers. She's willing to forgive everything and everyone and she actually has a chance to change people's minds and even their nature. I admit she's not very coherent though (but having her not fighting would be a problem in a game like this). She develops differently depending on the kind of mythic path you choose though and her personal quest is not particularly interesting or deep. -Arueshalae: She's honestly not as bad as some people try to make her look. First she was a succubus on the path of redemption even in the original tabletop adventure, second, how do you think a succubus that wants to find redemption should behave? Personally I think her development makes a lot of sense. Her personal quest is not bad (in chapter 4 expecially). She changes depending on mythic path (so if you want an evil succubus you can have her). -Woljif: He's pretty believable as a thief and sneak and he can evolve in 2 different ways through the game. His personal quest is well done and adds quite a bit of content. The way he evolves is certainly believable whatever you choose. -Daeran: I like him, he can be really petty but as you learn about his personal history you realize how that came to be. His personal quest if very well done imo. -Sosiel: Again I find him a bit bland, cleric of good deity with rage issues, ok but not great I think. His personal quest is really good though and potentially gives you an extra companion. -Regill: A fun take on the concept of the gnome and hellknight. He's very down to heart and analitical in his approach. He doesn't really change his personality as you advance into the game (he refines hi assessment of you though), his personal quest is not very good or developed. -Wenduag: She's very coherent. She follows strength, you are stronger than she is so she follows you (until she finds someone who she thinks is stonger, at least...) not exactly my piece of cake but I think she does provide an interesting point of view and is certainly not bland. Her personal quest is similar to Lann's although with radically different outcomes. -Nenio: Eh... all can I say is that she's meant to be irritating and there's a reason for her being how she is. You find you if you manage to complete her personal quest which is the most complex of them all (and quite frankly a bit too hard than it should be, expecially compared to the others). -Greybor: I like Greybor. He's presented as a professional assassin and he lives up to this throughout the game. His personal quest is good imo (gives you access to some pretty great gear too btw). He develops differently depending on how you play. -Trever: Not much to say here. I list him as a companion because you can have him in your party for a decent amount of time but he doesn't have a personal quest (you get him if you do Sosiel's) he certainly makes sense as a character though.
Note that I did not include the undead companions and Aivu (too niche), and Queen Galfrey (you get her when the game is basically over). Finnean is not a full companion.
Now, consider how most of these characters change depending on your choices and how vast and deep the game must be to accomodate all of these different interactions. Personally I don't think that criticizing the characters because you find them "dislikable" on a subjective basis is fair criticism of the game.
