I am quite near the end of the game, and have found it fitting and feeling like a BG game, it has the theme and tone. Most of the major deviations are from 5e lore, not Larian. The game doesn't have the tone or vibe of D.OS (a series I didn't like.), while it's sometimes too edgy than it needs to be, it fits within the tone and style of BG2.
Minthara is the best character and she NEEDS to be recruitable if you side with the grove! Also- I support the important thread in the suggestions: Let everyone in the Party Speak