You can just not recruit Red Prince, or meet the kitty on your Avatar instead of leading with Red Prince, I think.
That said, I've just got to Arx, so I don't have a complete picture of the whole game, let alone several playthroughs and so far I really really like Ifan's quest arc (playing Lohse avatar, so he is one of the companions). Feels like he has the most interactions out of my party too, but that might be the affection system at work. Not sure. And I thought his story bits were well spaced out through act II and and III.
Fane is great for snarky darkish humor and some unexpected quest outcomes (do yourself a favor and initiate and play 'Love has a price' quest as him, its hilarious. I also think you gain a lot of story insight of why things that are happening to Rivellon are happening from taking him as a companion too. Though maybe that can be said about most of companions and their different perspectives .
Beast has his moments, though I found his interaction dwindled a bit after the first part of act II. It might pick up in Arx again, as that's where his quest is pointing to. I found him to be a less 'controversial' companion, easy to like, unlike Sebelle and Red Prince who do not make a very good first impression in fort joy (though I've read they ARE interesting companions once you get past that)
Can't comment on how Lohse is as a companion, but I am absolutely loving her story as a main avatar
. I think her motivations are sufficiently different from everyone else's to make for a quite different play-though, but then again, I am not done with the game yet... just some initial impressions!
