Character designs aren't bad in Mass Effect or KOTOR, but Dragon Age and Jade Empire are shit. And yeah, they are trash when it comes to making a smooth game experience and all their games are filled with loads of technical issues, which is often surprising because they don't look that great in the first place.
Also, console Bioware fans should check out Infinite Undiscovery. It is basically if Bioware made a j-rpg, right down to the technical problems.