The problem with the the party banter is that it's all predictable and shallow ... snip ... I wonder if part of the problem isn't that every character besides Lae'zel starts off with some kind of secret so until those come out into the open, however long that takes, they CAN'T have interesting interactions because they can't discuss the major aspects of their characters and the things that follow on from that. Also, does the rest of the party even know Wyll is a warlock? It doesn't make sense that they would since he only talks to Tav about it. Same goes with Gale. Which means that those are two characters who logically cannot have their major character things talked about by thew party at large. Frankly it's weird that the rest of the party knows Astarion is a vampire. Based on how the scene plays out, they should be none the wiser.
It's an interesting idea, but I don't think the fact that the party has secrets is a good reason for lack of interesting interactions or lack of a genuine feeling that the party (and MC) are building relationships with one another. They perhaps aren't telling the truth about themselves, but lies can still be revealing, as can the questions you ask others. And then there's the potential for reactions once truths (and lies) are revealed. I don't think I have as negative impression of the BG3 banter as you, and I think Larian are trying and there's
something there, I just don't think it's quite coming off as yet. And not just because we're still in the early days of the party getting to know each other, but that the actual things they say don't ring quite true and they don't usually feel like parts of ongoing conversations or growing connections or antipathies.
The antagonism between Lae'zel and SH is perhaps one exception but I agree even that doesn't quite work in early access. Wyll's gith-curiosity is another exception when in the party with Lae'zel, and SH's put-down if he then starts on her is pretty good, but the whole thing comes across as a bit sleazy to me (as, frankly, does some of Gale's interaction with SH) and it's annoying the MC doesn't have the same opportunity to call him out if he then propositions them. Or to tell him when he says that the Blade rarely shares his blankets that it doesn't seem to be for lack of trying! Anyway, I digress *cough*.
As to who knows what about whom, while I'd definitely like to see more intraparty chat and reactiveness to revelations on screen, I don't need to see everything and I'm generally happy for folk to just know stuff without knowing how. If they know something I've not seen them find out, I'll usually just assume they told each other so I don't mind too much everyone knowing Astarion is a vampire spawn or Wyll is a warlock. Though it really irks me at the party when everyone knows and comments on the fact you've agreed to some private time with one of the companions, so I desperately hope that changes!
Oh, and I know this will not be everyone's take, but in my view the BG2 companion interactions (which had already been taken up a level from BG1) were then stepped up again in the Dragon Age and Mass Effect games. I don't think even those are perfect, but for me they're the best I've seen. And DA2 had plenty of problems but I agree it did companions brilliantly including their relationships independent of Hawke, and I loved calling round to see someone to catch another companion paying a visit. I even loved the idea of friendship/rivalry relationships though their execution left something to be desired. I'd agree that Larian have a lot of work to do to achieve that level in their companions, and I think that's asking even more of them than that they manage BG2 standard. At this stage, and assuming they've taken on board all the feedback provided, I think there's a decent chance Larian can make me as happy with BG3 companions as with BG2 ones, but less so that they'll achieve DA standards. But you never know. Or rather, you don't know until August
.
