I've only just completed Act 1, so here's my opinion at the moment.
Shadowheart is very interesting and her story beats even improved since EA.
Karlach is just a cool person to hang around with, finding joy in just existing. She is the Varric of the group.
Lae'zel, I feel, has become a touch more personable since EA. She reacts well towards assertiveness, not just being a jerk. She is like Worf turned up to 11.
Wyll is kind of bland. He has his major story moment with Karlach, but otherwise doesn't intersect with the main story much and his personality feels kind of one-dimensional. I expect he might have a bit more to do in Act 2.
My stock in Gale has gone way down. I liked him in EA, but less now. He left me after I fumbled trying to find a magic item for him to eat. It seems like you can't access *his own* inventory to find items. Well, I was keeping the one I wanted to give him in his pocket.
Halsin seems cool, but I haven't had much time with him yet. I haven't been able to invite him to join my party even though he is hanging out in my camp.
Minthara will have to come by a different playthrough. I killed her and looted her clubbing attire from her corpse.
I haven't met Jahiera and Minsc yet.
