Romance wise, this is worse than BG2, despite huge efforts from Larian, which is ironic...
For I am a straight male. so Astarion, Gale, Wyll, Hilsin are out. I also don't really fancy special stuff like old ladies, etc. Jaheira, Karlach, Laezal are out. So only remaining options would be Shadowheart and Minthara?! But aren't they both evil bitches?
On the contrast, the original BG2 had Jaheira(not old then), Aerie, Viconia... they had diverse personalities too.
I bet that the vast majority of the players are like me.
Are you for real? I am a 65 year old straight male. Asterion is out because I never do vampires (unlike some bears I could mention); Gale may or not be in depending on what I learn about his magic bomb thing and how much of my loot he will eat; Wyll will probably be out as warlocks don't really appeal and Halsin wont be in as I rarely bother with druids. I will probably be playing as a male because I usually play as a male when it's female companions (or vice versa).
Karlach I may take but her southern accent grates on my northern ears and the broken horn will annoy me far more than it should; Jaheira I will need more info about her class etc; Minthara will be dead; Shadders and Lizzie the Giff undecided. Much will depend on the hireling situation. I've no idea where you are getting Karlach and Lae'zel as old, especially Lae'zel. Jaheira was a married woman in BG1.
