No option to not take or remove companions?

[Blackdragon]

The game forced me to take a companion (Garryck) right from the beginning. Then, after the first area, it forced me to take another companion (Kai). There was no option to refuse either, and no option to remove them from my party. While I was indifferent to Garryck (a kinda cute blue Orlan), I didn't want to take Kai - a self-important, troublemaker Amaua whom my player character would distrust. But there was no option to not take him, no option to remove him, and even no option to say I didn't want to take him (even if the game still forced him into the party).

After BG3, where I could literally kill any companion, and was free to adventure solo, this felt very limiting, stifling, and immersion-breaking. As the Imperial Envoy, the player character should have adequate agency, including in choice of companions. But it seems in this game, you are always forced to travel with at least some of the companions. And to be frank, the companion roster doesn't inspire any particular desire to travel with them.

[Big Boss Bam]

Yeah, I have to admit this is bugging me too, I wanted to go Solo Rogue type but I have to drag dead weight around and now I have to select between party members as it only allows you to have 2, hope they patch this or someone mods it quick

[Inflammatory]

you're in a foreign country and having someone who knows the lay of the land is important

[Captivating Crow]

Originally posted by Inflammatory:

you're in a foreign country and having someone who knows the lay of the land is important

It's also an RPG and taking away the choice to not take companions removes a lot of your agency as a player. Some people don't want them, others do.

[Invasion_Dec]

I launched a 13 year old open world fantasy game called Skyrim and this issue disappeared immediately

[Miro Fox]

they are very important to the story.

in chapter 4, you Need the dwarf for 90% of the content there.

[gogswarriors]

I'm enjoying the game but I think that any companion in a recently developed game should let you customize your companion gear at least a tiny bit. Yes you can change their outfit but not being able to upgrade any of their gear or at least their weapon is a bare bones letdown.

[hrafnskald]

You can have up to two companions at once.
When you find the third companion in the second city, you should be able to switch out which two companions you take with you.

[TheRogon]

Originally posted by Miro Fox:

they are very important to the story.

in chapter 4, you Need the dwarf for 90% of the content there.

This is the most depressing thing I have read so far. I enjoy the game play, but now I hear I will have to listen to this dolt even more.

[Affinity]

.....wtf........this is the dumbest I've ever heard.

[Miro Fox]

Originally posted by TheRogon:

Originally posted by Miro Fox:

they are very important to the story.

in chapter 4, you Need the dwarf for 90% of the content there.

This is the most depressing thing I have read so far. I enjoy the game play, but now I hear I will have to listen to this dolt even more.

Every Chapter has its "Chaparone"

Chapter 1: Kai
Chapter 2: Animancer Girl
Chapter 3: Dwarf Man
Chapter 4: Yatzli
Chapter 5: You
Chapter 6: All of them together

[Moon Rabbit]

Garrick isn't a companion. Just an NPC that follows you in the intro area. Which is like, ten to twenty minutes then he leaves.

[alever174]

Originally posted by Inflammatory:

you're in a foreign country and having someone who knows the lay of the land is important

what a miserable excuse