My memory is that this is fair commentary about Fable 2. I think there are a few times when one or more of your allies will be around, but mostly, they just stay behind and do nothing.

Which I imagine is actually preferable, gameplay-wise, but it FELT like a mistake to my judgmental brain who wanted everything in the Fable 2 bag without it getting heavy.

Then again... If a game plays better without companions, but keeps setting up the having of companions only for you to keep doing things solo, that probably does count as a design flaw. Even if you're better off without them, it feels like you're being denied something.