Companions generally seem to be a key factor in an RPG's popularity with the masses. In DAO it was Morrigan and Alistair. In ME it was Miranda (With Tali and Garrus coming in big once people played ME2). In BG3 it's Shadowheart, Karlach and Astarion.
It's interesting to note that DA2 and DAI which featured less sexy companions also had less mass appeal (Also, the upcoming Veilguard is not getting much love and its characters are being memed about for how awful they look)
There is definitely a trend with modern RPG's that have more detailed character models and thus sexy characters being more mass marketable than CRPG's that usually have less detailed character models and PNG portraits.
On a side note, if you liked Claudia Black's performance in Stargate, you should definitely check out Farscape if you haven't already. Her performance in that was amazing (Also, Ben Browder's performance was also top notch there too)
Strange that you mention that shadowheart, Karlach and Astarion since on most bg3 videos Lae'zel is the thumbnail.
I tried listening to the Karlach on youtube, didn't enjoy her voice maybe it is just me.
In dao I loved leliana and Loghain ; I love Simon Templeman performance especially for his voice in Legacy of kain series. Not to mention his performance as Doctor Doom in 90's version of Fantastic Four.
I loved da2 because of Jo Wyatt performance as female hawke.
Mass effect it was jennifer hale as female shepard ; Jennifer hale is a legend since she voiced bastilla shan in kotor 1; teasing bastila was the best part of kotor 1. Kaiden was voiced by the same actor who voiced Carth onasi in kotor 1.
Mass effect 2 has awesome voice actors roster: Claudia Black, Tricia Helfer (Number Six in battlestar reboot, kerrigan in starcraft 2), Michael Hogan, Jennifer Hale, Carrie-Anne Moss, Martin Sheen.
I never heard of Farscape, I will check it out.
Live or die as long is battle is worthy and honor is gained.
