That's the issue i think Xzar is saying, they were too different from they way they were in the first game, thus it's one of the reasons it's a step back for him.
I really wish there was more to talk to party members about on the boat. You can barely ask them anything, it felt like there was a lot more to talk about with companions in the first game. I haven't played the first in a long time but from what I recall...