For all of my issues with the plot and the writing for various members of the supporting cast, I want to create a thread saying that this game absolutely shines when the focus is on Shadowheart, Lae'zel, Gale, Wyll, Astarion, and Karlach. These characters have more personality, reactivity, and genuine care put into them in their left pinky than most characters in this genre get over multiple games. My current main party is Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach. I thought I would hate Astarion, but he really comes into his own, due in no small part to the excellent performance from Neil Newbon. Though, as I believe either Mark Darrah or Josh Sawyer noted, this game does not follow the graphical fidelity death cult, the animations in this game, especially concerning body language and facial animations, are so on point that they bring an element of characterization to these characters that you simply do not get elsewhere: Lae'zel rolls her eyes or makes her body tall and rigid in prideful defiance; Astarion throws his arms loosely and keels over in angry or sarcastic fits, clearly clenching his teeth; Shadowheart overtly displays subtle changes between fear and disgust in her face.
The dialogue trees reveal completely new information about your characters' personalities based on how you talk to them. This feature comes to light especially during the romances, where the PC can almost cultivate and steer the kind of relationship they are trying to build.
The personalities themselves are also just a blast. Each character has moments to be unbridled fun, an exemplar of sadness, and deep in thought. I've said it before and I'll say it again: This game's narrative is at its best when it is a character study of our companions.
If I could ask for one thing to make it into the Definitive Edition, or as an expansion, based on what this game did RIGHT, it would be to give us more companion moments and interactions, including banter. On the subreddit, there has been talk of a requests for a "romance DLC," but while this would be nice, I would prefer a broader "Character DLC" that fleshes out ALL relationships in the game, as I think that is where this game shines.
To All: Please let me know what you thought of our companions. Did anyone surprise you? What about the character developments and performances?
