I also don't think it would have been a good idea to leave the benched companions behind. Especially considering the implications it has for their well being, but also because I like to sometimes switch someone in, for company, for their quests or just because I might need a different skillset for a day.
Depth is also not related to having less characters around because it wouldn't change how dialogue is handled. I really like Gale as a romance and as a companion, but even more so since I started to trust his dialogue. It usually allows you to have several positions on a matter and explores your stance in the following conversation. You can show yourself to be vulnerable or struggling with trust, and he relates to theses feelings, giving it the effect of a real conversation, while the dialogues of other companions feel far more focused on them, without allowing the PC to have complex emotions. For example the whole orb situation allows you to be torn between being scared by orb and your affection, you can also snoop through his mind to uncover his secret but then instantly feel bad about it and confess the transgression, leading to a very satisfying conversation. Compare that to Astarion confessing his feelings in act 2, which gives you several options to break up with him, but only one route to continue the relationship. You cannot be hurt by his deception while still wanting to be with him. The only thing he will console you over is your character questioning their hotness, which feels so weirdly out of place in a discussion about emotions and trust. ^^;
Originally Posted by Piff
I also appreciated the inter-party banter, and would even have liked more of it, but I suspect that it was removed due to insecure player feelings, not so that people could create love triangles. Shadowheart (who, I'll remind people, explicitly states she prefers short-term low attachment hookups in the beginning) still makes several flirty comments about other non-player characters in-game, and the reactions from some parts of the fandom about it have been really fucking gross.
Yeah I wondered why they cut the companions commenting on your active romance. I also feel the only weird love triangle situation is Halsin, while the act 2 stuff is more about giving you an option to change your mind if needed.
Edit: Oh and I agree with what Taril wrote about not needing specific classes/positions. There is fun in taking along whom you like and then see how your chosen gang works best together.
