It's not real life though, it's a work of fiction. The dialogue is supposed to sound believable but ultimately it has several jobs to do, characterisation, driving the plot, creating mood &c.
But being believable relates to being similar to real life.
As I mentioned, it doesn't have to be exactly the same and there will be some meta inclusions revolving around video game things (Such as the oft used "We're in trouble and really need your help... But sure I'll answer all your questions regarding the current setting and plot!")
Making every dialogue terse and to the point is not believable. Sure, Gith may be like that. But other people will vary based on personality.
I think the crux is, I didn't buy it as an RPG (speaking in terms of genre)
What you bought it as is irrelevant.
It was made as a CRPG, as a title in a series that is predominantly CRPGs, by a company that makes CRPGs, for people who like CRPGs.
Ergo, it will be designed with CRPG aspects in mind. Which nominally, means extensive dialogue (I mean, if we're looking at things like DA:O, Planescape, BG1 + 2... CRPG classics are very dialogue heavy because RPG nerds love to get deep characters in a fleshed out world)
The thing is, for me it is very generic, as far as romance dialogues go. As in: it's not especially compelling dialogue
It's quite literally not generic because it directly references the specific character being romanced. Not only namedropping them, but also highlighting traits of said character. If you want generic, then Withers comment on your romance is completely generic with absolutely nothing to do with who your romance partner is just a vague reference to you having a romance going.
Sure, it might not be the most compelling dialogue, as it's mere banter - But banter still provides a lot to characterization.
I didn't notice any joke. She replied like her dating schedule had been booked years in advance - while in reality she's meant to be isolated and deprived of any deep relationships.
It's both a joke AND a representation of her being deprived of any
deep relationships.
She's had a lot of interest, but nothing ever went deep, so she jokes as a way to sort of keep you at arms length, as she has no clue if you're going to actually try for something proper of if you're just another person looking for a good time with a pretty lady.
Which is hinted at if you kiss her and talk to her the next day. Where she's concerned about that exact thing, are you interested in a proper relationship with her?
I'm very curious: why are all three main male companions so pleasant to interact with, while two out of three female companions come across as insufferable bitches, and the only pleasant one is a dead man walking?
I dunno... Different strokes I guess.
Personally, I can't stand the three male companions. Gale is a douche, Wyll is boring and Astarion is just plain awful.
Yet the female companions are great. Lae'zel offers some of the best character arc of modern RPG writing. Shadowheart can shake off her awful brainwashing and become a total sweetheart and Karlach is just fun.
