I like all the companions for the most part. They have depth and personality. Different folks get different impressions from them, of course. Some folks find Gale charming; some find him manipulative. That's life, though, right? "I don't understand what you see in him," kind of thing. In my opinion, this only goes to show how well written these character personalities are.

I do have issues, obviously. Things I don't "like" about the characters.

Gale's story is crazy grandiose. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall listening in to their writers' rationale behind that. Maybe there's a lot more to learn about Gale, though. That's something I keep reminding myself. See, it's easy to think we know so much when we've been with these characters for three years, but we have to remember we've only seen an early access snap shot of them. There could be quite a bit more to their stories buried in the game.

Wyll's story is one that I found compelling, but I had trouble respecting Wyll. What I mean by that is that I felt like he was often the "butt of the joke," if you know what I mean. A rich man doesn't have to go around telling the world he's rich. And there are so many opportunities to undermine Wyll's status as a hero that it made me see him as more of a buffoon than a hero. That said, I hold all judgement aside in regards to Wyll until I see the rewrite (which I tend to agree was necessary).

--i hate to say it, but sometimes i wonder if a part of why Wyll wasn't more popular was because of his ethnicity? probably too touchy a topic to have much constructive conversation about, unfortunately.

Karlach is someone I don't want to judge too early since I only have limited interaction with her. Although I will say I'm confused about the direction they've taken her personality. It's an interesting choice, and I'm willing to give it a chance. But I have questions. Was she always a tiefling, or did she turn into one after being sold to the hells? How could she possibly have such a bright disposition and demeanor after ten years of brutal servitude? I would think that would have left her deeply scarred, emotionally and otherwise. Her ability to rebound from that is nothing short of miraculous, and if I met someone like that in real life, it would be flat out inspiring the more I think about it.

Astarion is someone that I enjoy. I get a kick out of his personality. That said, I would probably roleplay him a little different if I chose him as an Origin. Which, to my understanding, is great news. Because I can.

Shadowheart is someone I can't even fully judge because there's still so much left to learn about her.

Lae'zel is perfect.

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This might sound strange, but being that I'm a bit older now myself, a part of me wishes we could romance Jaheira. I appreciate the maturity of her character, and I find that more attractive than youth.