Really interesting to read folks’ different takes. For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of replaying the game is experiencing the differences in the way the companions develop and the feeling of the relationships with them, depending on the character I’m playing. Though admittedly some companions feel more complex and sophisticated than others, and I don’t feel I’ve fully explored all of them.
Gale was an EA fave and still is now. It was clear his mix of ambition, arrogance, romanticism, humour, open-mindedness and kindness could pull him in different directions, and I think the writers and actor pulled this off brilliantly. He’s ended up a god, a professor and a martyr in my finished playthroughs, but in each he’s felt like a genuine friend of my PC. I’ve also got current runs one with a PC romancing him, and another evil run where the relationship feels a lot rockier and darker, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things develop.
Astarion was another EA favourite who more than lived up to my hopes due to the writing and acting. His story played out similarly with my first two characters: an early fling, followed by a strong platonic friendship and moving rejection of ascension. In the third he didn’t like my nature paladin character (who had an unrequited crush) nearly as much and things felt much tenser though by the end they were friends. I’ve not even experienced his full romance or ascension paths yet, so lots to look forward to.
Shadowheart was up there with Gale and Astarion for me in EA but somehow she was less snarky, sarcastic and manipulative than I’d hoped, and despite maybe being the only original BG fan who actually enjoyed the House of Grief, it didn’t really feel as though the relationship with SH developed in act 3. Though perhaps that was because her ouchy bug overrode all party banter, she died in the Shadowfell in one run and I’ve not yet finished romance or DJ runs with her, so will keep trying.
Lae’zel somehow hasn’t found a regular place in my EA or full runs, and ended up on a slab for much of act 3 all three times I’ve got that far. I think she’s hilarious and, from the brief fling with one of my PCs before the latter broke it off, the romance path looked as though it would be fun, but I still don’t feel like I know her. It was heartbreaking not to be able to persuade her to reject Vlaakith in my first run, and her story ended tragically, and she felt like a friend and companion with a happier ending in my other runs, and again there are more permutations to try and I’m looking forward to a run where she’s a more core part of the gang. The rapidity and completeness with which she could turn on Vlaakith did surprise me, but on reflection it made sense that whatever she does, Lae’zel goes all in.
Wyll didn’t convince me totally in EA. I liked the idea of the character but it felt as though there were too many facets that just didn’t gel and it was probably right to rewrite him. But you just can’t please some people, and now I feel he doesn’t have enough facets or complexity and I prefer my lawful good characters with a bit more humour and light and shade. But I do like the idea of a paladinly warlock and enjoyed the slow burn, slightly awkward romance from my first playthrough even though it did feel a bit threadbare, and his connection to the plot is great even if not as much is made of it as it could be. And Mizora is hilarious and fabulous, so I guess that was the good surprise from Wyll’s story. And that all said, Wyll will likely be my first origin character run (hoping I can find a way to RP him that I find a bit more compelling) and I love the idea of being able to play a warlock with a patron who is in game.
Karlach had a tough gig, breaking into the gang after I’d already played hundreds of hours in EA with the others. I was pleasantly surprised by her after her somewhat bloodthirsty intro in EA, and thought the choice to make her so bouncy and in some ways younger than her years both meshed in an interesting way with an emotional barbarian character, and made sense in the context of someone who was trafficked as a relative youngster (if not quite a child soldier) so whose development in certain ways was stunted and in other ways accelerated. And she has those powerful emotional scenes that brought a tear to my eye in various permutations, even if I was a bit grumpy when she upstaged my PC’s own moving death scene.
Halsin didn’t pan out as I expected. Kudos to Larian for not doing the obvious and making the distant and wise-seeming ancient druid lusty and actually kind of insecure, and as unsure what he’s really meant to be doing in act 3 after breaking the curse that’s been his focus for a century as I was. I was glad he was there as a LI for my second PC who felt the others were all a bit too demanding of commitment and to pick up the pieces after Astarion didn’t warm to my third, but I am among the folk who find that some of his interactions strike a bum note for PCs who aren’t attracted to him.
Minthara I don’t know yet. I brought her along via the KO route on my last playthrough but she didn’t really get on with my PC. Though some of her lines were unexpectedly hilarious, as fylimar said. My evil Durge currently at Rosymorn did have an interlude with her post-grove-slaughter and is looking forward to getting to know her better.
Jaheira was brilliantly done, with writing and acting both great and true to the BG1/2 character while updating her for this sort of game. I just loved seeing glimpses of the life and family she’d made for herself.
Minsc and Boo were also well done, but given how late we recruit them the relationship feels a bit rushed and forced (which is kind of acknowledged) and I’ve not kept him active in my party yet. Given the characters could just be a one note joke, I think it’s great Minsc can occasionally give my PCs pause, while still making me laugh and recognisably being the character from previous games, albeit a more fully developed version. I’m determined to give the pair more adventuring time in a future run.
