I wouldn't mind the four person adventure party as much if there were actually more party member options. The smaller party size IMO already provides pressure with class selection since there's little wiggle room in regards to offerings if you want to have your class archetypes covered-arcane caster/divine caster/rogue/martial fighter.. There's no backup wizard/sorcerer to replace Gale if you don't want him in your party/he leaves. No backup divine caster to replace Shadowheart.
Plus, there's the whole 'your party is fixed after Act' I thing to worry about. In other games like NWN or BG I+II I'd frequently bench a character after adventuring with them a while and doing their character quests. Being locked in after the first act does not, IMO lead to a gameplay environment where I see myself experimenting with party composition much over the course of the game.
Feels like getting squeezed from two ends tbh. Not enough party member variety in regards to certain archetypes stifling options for divine/arcane spellcasters (could really use another cleric/wizard or druid/sorcerer companion...or even a class like the bard or paladin) and too small a party size to really make me feel comfortable straying outside the core archetype classes. As -is Wyll basically almost always sits on the bench for me since I have a fighter, rogue, wizard and cleric competing with him for three slots.
A good summary of the issue, I'd say.
Party control in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complete mess that begs to be addressed. SAY NO TO THE TOILET CHAIN
