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[hobbit of the shire]

I admit I purposely metagame in order to make all my companions happy to get full bonuses to their skills and to get the most XP most of the time.  It's hard to hate a companion when you know you're going to be missing stuff.  And it's something I think about constantly when playing despite how it is an illogical way to play a RPG.  What I think needs to be done for DA3 and other games is to make it so that XP achievement will be about the same regardless of approval ratings.

First of all, the approval system has to be less obvious (DAO and its exact number system isn't realistic).  One shouldn't always be able to realise what their actions do right at that moment.  The consequences can come later.  Therefore, one has to really think about their actions.

Whether the companion likes your or not should not affect their abilities (in DAO, you have those Minor to Massive stat boosts).  They should work as hard to stay alive regardless of them liking you.

The advantage of getting max XP doing every single companion quest shouldn't happen.  Yes, you need to have at least a certain number of companions (i.e., doing no companion quests obviously makes you miss XP).  But realistically, a few of the companions will not jive with your character, so it makes sense to either ignore their quests or send them packing.  Or, choosing to do a quest for one companion will shut down another.  Choosing a specific companion may also cause another companion not to want to join you.  Etc., etc.  Bottom line, one shouldn't have to love every single companion in order to get the most XP, skills and equipment.  Makes it especially hard to play evil characters.

Can the total # of quests be about the same regardless of # of companions selected?  There can be numerous quests that show up provided you have a certain party.  Therefore, having a smaller set of companions or having a certain approval spectrum will open up specific quests.

Can there be a more even amount of dialogue regardless of approval?  While sure if the companion hates your guts he isn't going divulge his life story to you, but he could still spat with you or possibly even lie.  But not being amiable that shouldn't want to make them just end the conversation.

Gifts.  Fun, but really warps approval ratings.  Especially the Feastday Gifts/Pranks.  From an RP standpoint, really throws things off kilter.

Approval is definitely less transparent in DA2, but DA2 barely had any interesting party dynamics and conversations.  DAO that I'm playing now is still surprising me with the richness of the characters.  I just wish I didn't feel compelled to always choose the amiable response to max out XP and convo lines.  I will have to try some of the Rivalry plots in DA2 to see how that affects gameplay.  But still, I don't like how you need to either be a Friend or Rival to unlock some feats.  It forces you one way or the other.  Anyway, just my thoughts as I play through DAO.

[ScarMK]

Agree with everything except gifts. They are completely optional (Ignoring Morrigan's Companion quest). If you feel they make the game too easy, simply don't use them.