The Brutal Beast — Haughty, aloof, and ruthless; Chevalier Michel has earned himself a reputation for being an inhumane beast capable of slaughtering even his own people, without so much as a hint of remorse.

He’ll tell you himself that he has no need for useless emotions, but is anyone truly capable of completely sealing away their heart? Or is there yet a fleeting chance to thaw the thick, icy walls surrounding this cruel, merciless Prince…

Ratings

Character Design

Similar to:
☆ Oda Nobunaga (Ikemen Sengoku) – Proud and domineering; with an overwhelming air of authority.
☆ Lancelot Kingsley (Ikemen Revolution) – An icy noble who’s sealed away their heart for the good of their Kingdom.
☆ Uesugi Kenshin (Ikemen Sengoku) – Captivatingly dangerous; with a dark, inhuman aura.

The most important thing to know about Chevalier is that he’s extremely pragmatic, which Ikemen Prince does not treat as a positive trait (even though Leon’s extreme compassion at the expense of practicality was consistently portrayed as admirable).

This condemnation of Chevalier’s pragmatism is one of the reasons why I struggled to connect with his route, even though I adored the fundamental aspects of his character. No matter how badly I fell for his personality, I just couldn’t quite fall for his story.

Most frustratingly, none of the other characters feel the need – at any point – to meet Chevalier halfway in his way of thinking. They frequently complain that he won’t listen to them, but they never seem prepared to understand his perspective, which leads to an irritating, one-sided view of political issues that span both sides of their ideological spectrum.

Right off the bat, Chevalier is shown to be intensely logical – if a little heartless. In which case, it would seem reasonable to come up with a practical plan to achieve their goals and present it to Chevalier, rather than just repeatedly telling him to soften up and think of the people for a change. (I mean, why do they think he’s working so hard to make the kingdom better in the first place?).

Instead, the onus is on Chevalier to come around to their vague aspirations of providing a prosperous Kingdom for the people, despite their complete lack of a concrete plan to achieve said objectives. Don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with noble intentions, but I didn’t think Chevalier was necessarily cruel and heartless simply for being prepared to do what was necessary to ensure the exact same future Leon’s faction are fighting for.

Ouji-sama / Kuudere / Tensai

If you’ve read Nobunaga’s route in Ikemen Sengoku, or Lancelot’s route in Ikemen Revolution, then you’ll already have an idea of what to expect from Chevalier. He’s an impressive ruler who’s known for being incredibly competent – the kind of genius who only comes around once in a lifetime – but, as they say, heavy is the head who wears the crown.

The responsibilities that come with leadership bear a heavy burden on the hearts and minds of those in charge, which – combined with the inherent loneliness of being without peer – often results in a cold, cruel heart, sealed away within an impenetrable fortress of ice.

This regal, if a little tragic, air of nobility will appeal to players who like to be in awe of their love interests, as well as those who like to persevere with a difficult LI until they reach that sweet, hard-earned payoff at the end. I’ve also labelled him as ‘Tensai’, as I don’t believe it counts as ‘arrogance’ if their inflated ego is backed by actual competence. Chevalier is legitimately and canonically an unparalleled genius, so he’s more of a ‘tensai’ than an ‘ore-sama’.

Artist: Kachiru Ishizue – I love Chevalier’s character design. The decision to shade in the upper half of his face is genius as it emphasises the way he’s looking down at MC, making him immediately recognisable as an arrogant, ‘haughty’ character who sees everyone else as beneath him. As usual, I love Kachiru Ishizue’s work, but Chevalier is a particular favourite of mine.

Voice Actor

Ono Yūki (小野 友樹) – also known for voicing:

• Saeki Yuzuru (Collar X Malice) – Video Game
• Hajun (Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani) – Video Game
• Ignis Carbunculus (Cafe Enchante) – Video Game
• Gavin (Mr Love: Queen’s Choice) – Video Game
• Koga Oogami (Ensemble Stars) – Video Game
• Gran / Lancelot (Granblue Fantasy) – Video Game
• Louis (Beastars) – Anime
• + more!

Story

“There is no need for you. No matter who Belle chooses, the future where I become King is inevitable.”

– Chevalier Michel (Ikemen Prince)

There are so many inconsistencies in this route (and Ikemen Prince as a whole), that it’s difficult for me to get a firm grasp on what exact story the writers are trying to tell. MC is particularly confusing to me, as she’ll be wilful and insightful one moment, and naïve and incompetent the next. 

The storytelling also tends to contradict itself, as the route will spend ten chapters focusing on MC getting to know the love interest, only for her to show absolutely no understanding of who he is later, just to force a little more drama before the end.

To put it bluntly, Chevalier’s route felt like it was designed recipe-first, story-second… which is just not how to write a compelling story. Having a structure or an outline is fine (and often helps give the narrative some direction), but you have to allow for changes along the way if your pre-determined plot points no longer make sense. 

Otherwise, you fall into the same trap as Ikemen Prince, where character personalities will warp and shift to fit around the goal posts, rather than flowing in a natural progression that builds up to a satisfying payoff. Alternatively, the only way the set-in-stone plot can proceed as planned is if MC suddenly becomes incredibly dense, which was unfortunately the case towards the end of Chevalier’s route.

Content warnings: War is on the horizon and political subterfuge permeates the ‘beast den’ that is Rhodolite’s court. Be prepared for deaths, assassinations, battles, and the kind of childhood trauma that’s sort of expected when one grows up in a cruel world of nobility, where every flaw can be exploited, and reputation is everything.

That being said, none of these difficult themes are presented as the core of any given scene, and they’re not indulged in to the point where they become unbearably uncomfortable. They’re important to progress the plot and flesh out the characters, but the emphasis is typically laid on the compassionate response of MC, rather than the trauma itself, and the scenes tend to be mercifully brief when describing any potentially uncomfortable content.

* Spoiler warnings! *

I was not impressed with the overarching structure of Chevalier’s route – which was disappointing, as Chapters 3-13 contained a whole host of standout scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed on their own, but which became lost in the mess of forced plot points and character regression.

Chapter 14 really killed the route for me, which is a shame, as Chevalier was shaping up to be a heavy-hitter prior to the lost opportunity that was the “conflict” in this scene. Without going into too much detail, there’s a scene towards the opening of the route where MC is confronted with the ‘Beast’ side of Chevalier, and her reaction is not one of compassion and understanding, to say the least.

The route then spends a great deal of time and effort with MC consciously pushing aside these snap judgements to learn more about Chevalier the human, which was my favourite part of the route. She shows emotional maturity and impressive initiative in taking the leap to form her own opinion of someone she finds terrifying, rather than simply listening to the gossip around his brutal reputation.

Then, in Chapter 14, she’s once again confronted with his ‘Beast’ side in a similar manner to before. This forms a prime opportunity to showcase the fruits of her labour, by having her react differently from her judgemental response in the beginning. Even if her instinctive reaction is fear, she could have highlighted how far they’d both come by pushing past this fear and trying to understand him and the situation they’re in – exactly as she did throughout the route.

Instead, the writers squander this opportunity by taking away any agency and initiative MC had shown thus far. She becomes the epitome of passivity – sitting silently, in horror, as Chevalier opens up to her, and point-blank rejecting him in this moment of vulnerability. Not only does this completely regress MC’s character development back to the beginning of the story, but it’s also just awful behaviour in general.

If it weren’t for this review, I may not have finished the route after this point. I was so frustrated with MC’s actions and the direction the story took that I had to take a break from playing. None of it made sense to me, and I felt particularly irritated with the way MC became slack-jawed and useless, relying entirely on other characters to hold her hand and baby her through the rest of the necessary steps to repair her relationship with Chevalier.

Gone was her proactivity, as she made no attempt to do the exact thing she’d spent the entire route resolved to do. As the route continued, I got a better sense of why the writers went down this route. I believe (but I could be wrong) that it was meant to be shocking, after the middle of the route had lulled MC (and the reader) into a false sense of security, as it focused on Chevalier’s redeeming qualities, while glossing over his beastly ones.

But, if you’re going to make his ruthless pragmatism redeemable by giving him a valid reason for being that way, it sort of undermines the shock factor of such “cruel” behaviour. If we already know by Chapter 14 that he’s a genius who always does things with a purpose, then why would we still feel the same horror at his actions as we did before we learned there was method to his madness?

Don’t get me wrong, I adore Chevalier’s character, and there was a lot I enjoyed about the meaty part of his route, but the major plot milestones were forced and awkward, and none of the drama felt organic. By the time I finished the main route, my initial swooning over Chevalier had been overshadowed by irritations at poor story structure and inconsistent characterisations.

Thankfully, the dramatic ending picked up the pace and allowed me to finish my playthrough of Chevalier’s route on a more positive note. The epilogue in particular added a nice dash of romance to round everything off, although I was a little surprised at the lack of overall spicy content towards the climax of the story.

I still enjoyed Chevalier’s route more than Leon’s, but the overall structure and pacing left much to be desired. The writers excel at standalone scenes and scenarios, but they struggle with weaving them into an overarching narrative. I will continue to play Ikemen Prince – as I’m still a fan of the characters and I typically enjoy the event stories – but I hope the writers’ ability to pace the plot and provide satisfying payoff improves over time.

* Spoilers end! *

Story Structure

Story Branches: In Ikemen Prince, the character routes will intermittently prompt you to undertake an ‘avatar challenge’. This essentially means you’ll be offered two avatar attire options, one ‘normal’, and one ‘premium’. Purchasing and equipping one of these attire options will unlock the corresponding type of bonus story.

‘Normal‘ attire can be purchased with ‘gold’ — an in-game resource acquired through minigames and log-in bonuses. This is a much easier option for free-to-play gamers, but the story isn’t saved to your ‘Memories’ for re-reading later, and the bonus story you receive is typically shorter, and less romantic than the premium option.

‘Premium‘ attire has to be purchased with ‘diamonds’ — an in-game resource that can technically be acquired for free by collecting event rewards and log-in bonuses, but it’s typically purchased from the store with real-world currency. The appeal of these premium story options is that they’re saved to your ‘Memories’ for re-reading at any time, and the bonus story you receive tends to be longer and more romantic.

His Side Stories: After clearing certain chapters in a route, you’ll be allowed to purchase an optional ‘His Side Story’ from the story progress page. These are unlocked with ‘keys’ (a relatively difficult resource to acquire), or diamonds, if you don’t have enough keys. These side-stories take place during the same scene as their associated chapter, but they’re told from the perspective of the love interest, rather than the main character.

Main Route – Walkthrough

This section features a chapter-by-chapter walkthrough of player choices and unlockable content, including; photos, cards, letters, intimacy checks, side stories, and avatar challenges. There are also written reviews of each optional ‘His Side Story’ and premium story options, to help you decide when to spend your diamonds, and when to save them…

• Chapter 1 – Photo & Card

  Player Choice: All options give +4/+4

  Photo & Card – Bloodstained Petals (3-Star)
  Requires 8+ love points (but all options give 8 points, so unlocking the photo & card is guaranteed, no matter which player choice you make).

• Chapter 2 – Intimacy Check

  Player Choice: “I stared back.” (+4/+4)

  Intimacy Check – Chevalier-Themed Eyes (BP: 100)
  Required Intimacy will depend on how many routes you’ve already completed (100 Intimacy for first route).

• Chapter 3 – Letter

  Player Choice: “What was that for?!” (+4/+4)

  Letter – A Mysterious Letter
  Requires 22+ Story Points (If you’ve used the +4/+4 suggestions until now, you’ll have 24 Story Points).

• Chapter 4 – Avatar Challenge

  Player Choice: “I read because it’s fun.” (+4/+4)

  Avatar Challenge – Attacked by the Awakened Beast
  Sweet: 1/5
  Spicy: 2/5
  Recommend: Maybe

  Based on my prior experiences with the Ikemen Series, I’d say the likely bonus part for this premium option is where it gets a bit steamy, so I’d recommend opting ‘premium’ if you have the diamonds to spare, and you’re specifically looking for spicier content.

  In terms of the scene itself, I think it explains MC’s feelings and reactions well, but it takes place fairly early in the route, so their romance hasn’t yet had a chance to develop. It’s a memorable moment with some spice thrown in, but if you’re not already head over heels for Chevalier – or not interested in sexier content – then you’ll be better off saving your diamonds for other premium stories that occur later in the route.

  Cost:
  Normal: White Lace Pencil Skirt (3000 Gold or 200 Diamonds)
  Premium: Chiffon Flare Dress (400 Diamonds)

• Chapter 5 – His Side Story

  Player Choice: “Prince Chevalier…” (+4/+4)

  His Side Story – The Tale of the Rose
  Sweet: 2/5
  Spicy: 1/5
  Recommend: Yes

  In the main story version, Chevalier comes across as a bit heartless (which was amusing, but not necessarily sweet); however, in the side story version, his intentions are much more obvious, which adds a much-needed dash of romance to an otherwise bewildering scene.

  I found this bonus insight into his actions made the original scene much more enjoyable, and I felt I understood Chevalier’s character more after having read it from his POV. There’s also a bonus scene with Chevalier and Clavis that’s not only entertaining, but also helps to further understand Chevalier’s motivations.

  If you’re confused by Chevalier’s behaviour in the main story and want to get his perspective, then I recommend getting this side story. I personally found that reading it made his character much more endearing than it otherwise would have been, as I could see the redeemable parts behind his seemingly-cold attitude.

  Cost: 3 x Keys to His Heart or 300 Diamonds

• Chapter 6

  Player Choice: “Threatening me is going too far.” (+4/+4)

• Chapter 7 – Intimacy Check

  Player Choice: “Is it alright if I stay with you?” (+4/+4)

  Intimacy Check – The Romance of the Rose (BP: 108)
  Required Intimacy will depend on how many routes you’ve already completed.

• Chapter 8 – His Side Story (Second Playthrough)

  Player Choice: “Aren’t you being a little mean?” (+4/+4)

  His Side Story: Unlocks on second playthrough.

• Chapter 9

  Player Choice: “He’s being chased.” (+4/+4)

• Chapter 10 – Avatar Challenge

  Player Choice: “I need to think of how to defend myself.” (+4/+4)

  Avatar Challenge – A Warning That Scorches My Heart
  Sweet: 2/5
  Spicy: 3/5
  Recommend: Maybe

  This scene features an aggressive type of spicy content that suits Chevalier’s character, but may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The preview for the premium story contains a hint at the nature of the fetish being catered to in this scene, so you should be able to get an idea of whether or not it suits your tastes.

  If it does, then I highly recommend opting for the premium version. The writer expertly captures the appeal of this particular kink, while also using it as a way to build tension for the non-spicy parts of the scene.

  Seeing as the plot element of this story is fairly important, I’d assume it’s present in both the premium and normal story versions. I haven’t played both yet, but based on the typical pattern for the Ikemen Series games, I’d say that the premium portion of the scene is likely part of the spicier moment, so my recommendation on whether or not to go premium depends on how appealing you find the relevant fetish.

  Cost:
  Normal: Side Bun (Brown) (4,500 Gold or 250 Diamonds)
  Premium: Long Wavy Hair (Blonde) (500 Diamonds)

• Chapter 11 – Letter

  Player Choice: “I’ll bear that in mind.” (+4/+4)

  Letter – A Suspicious Letter
  I forgot to note how many story points are needed for this letter, but if you’ve been using the walkthrough to get +4/+4 for each answer, then you’ll have enough points to unlock the letter without needing to use items.

• Chapter 12 – Intimacy Check

  Player Choice: “Stay put and just watch.” (+4/+4)

  Intimacy Check – High Neck Black Top (BP: 116)
  Required Intimacy will depend on how many routes you’ve already completed.

• Chapter 13 – His Side Story

  Player Choice: “Neither.” (+4/+4)

  His Side Story – The Tale of the Knight
  Sweet: 3/5
  Spicy: 0/5
  Recommend: Yes

  If you really don’t have the keys or diamonds to spare, then you won’t miss out on too much by skipping this side story, but if you do have the keys and/or diamonds, then ‘The Tale of the Knight’ adds a sweeter twist to an already adorable scene.

  By this point in the route, MC has begun to understand Chevalier and his mannerisms a little better, so she can start to guess at his true intentions. However, this side story still explains his inner monologue more explicitly, including feelings that MC doesn’t quite work out for herself in the main route version of the scene.

  I also liked how it incorporated the book MC recommended to Chevalier, and how he perceives these romance novels. It’s interesting to see his perspective change throughout the route, as a reflection of his changing views on love outside of fiction.

  Cost: 3 x Keys to His Heart or 300 Diamonds

• Chapter 14 – Avatar Challenge

  Player Choice: “I guess I’m a little worried.” (+4/+4)

  Avatar Challenge – The Night the Beast Visits
  Sweet: 1/5
  Spicy: 0/5
  Recommend: No

  This premium story occurs during a part of the route where I was feeling particularly frustrated with MC and her reaction to “new” developments in Chevalier’s character. I didn’t enjoy the events that took place within the story, and I didn’t find any of it romantic or passionate, so I don’t recommend spending any diamonds here.

  It’s a dramatic and emotional scene, as it highlights a part of the story where MC is conflicted in her feelings; however, it ends before we see any resolution for this conflict, so it’s also largely unsatisfying to read as a standalone story.

  Cost:
  Normal: Headband and Loafer Set (6000 Gold or 300 Diamonds)
  Premium: Hat and High Heel Set (600 Diamonds)

• Chapter 15

  Player Choice: “Call out to him.” (+4/+4)

• Chapter 16 – Letter

  Player Choice: “Nothing.” (+4/+4)

  Letter – A Suspicious Letter
  Requires 116+ Story Points. If you’ve been using the walkthrough to gain maximum story points, you will have enough to unlock the letter without needing to use any items.

• Chapter 17 – Intimacy Check

  Player Choice: “Yield to him.” (+4/+4)

  Intimacy Check – Candlestand and Books (BP: 124)
  Required Intimacy will depend on how many routes you’ve already completed.

• Chapter 18 – Photo, Card, & His Side Story (Second Playthrough)

  Player Choice: “Call out to him.” (+4/+4)

  Photo & Card – The Flower in My Heart Blooms Again (3-Star)

  His Side Story: Unlocks on second playthrough.

• Chapter 19 – Avatar Challenge

  Player Choice: “What do you plan to do?” (+4/+4)

  Avatar Challenge – I Don’t Know His Heart
  Sweet: 3/5
  Spicy: 3/5
  Recommend: Yes

  I’ve said ‘yes’ to recommending this premium story, but I’m still a little frustrated with the slow pacing and MC’s general lack of… well, anything. The romantic plot has hit a bit of a wall and consists entirely of MC wallowing in her own inability to overcome the latest obstacle. To be fair, the obstacle was placed by Chevalier, but it does feel like a natural progression in his character development, and once it has been overcome it will signify a huge moment of growth for him.

  That being said, the second half of this premium story is the most exciting moment in terms of romantic plot for this entire chapter. Premium options tend to be a little spicier than their ‘normal’ counterparts, and since the spice is the redeeming feature of this bonus story, I’m inclined to believe that it’s worth getting the premium version to boost the overall enjoyment of the scene.

  However, if you’re really looking to save your diamonds and you’re not convinced that a little extra spice is going to make much of a difference for you, then I’d recommend opting for the normal version and waiting for some more satisfying premium stories in the endings.

  Cost:
  Normal: Black Laced White Dress (8,500 Gold or 400 Diamonds)
  Premium: Yellow Ribboned Dress (800 Diamonds)

• Chapter 20

  Player Choice: “I’ll protect myself.” (+4/+4)

Endings – Review

So far, I’ve completed one playthrough of Chevalier’s route. In this playthrough, I chose his Dramatic Ending, and I’ve included a spoiler-free review of this ending below, to help you choose the finale that’s right for you…

Dramatic

Sweet: 3/5
Spicy: 5/5

A quick content warning: MC gets herself into a situation in Chapter 21 that was a bit uncomfortable to read. Thankfully, the scene doesn’t dwell on it for too long, but I’d recommend emotionally preparing yourself for some mentions and attempts of non-consensual acts (not perpetrated by Chevalier, but by other characters). The danger is resolved fairly quickly, but it was still creepy while it lasted.

That being said, the rescue scene gave some satisfying payoff, and I loved Chevalier’s unique response to a classic trope. Everything he said and did felt tailored to his specific character design, which added a creative touch to a familiar (perhaps even overused) plot device.

Furthermore, after several chapters of MC being frustratingly incompetent, she finally had her turn to shine. There were still a few lines of her inner monologue that wallowed in her being too afraid to do something – or being unable to find the right response to someone expressing their vulnerable emotions – but, on the whole, she was considerably more proactive, and even impressive at times.

Clavis also claimed some of the spotlight in this ending, so any Clavis fans may wish to choose this ending to learn more about his character–particularly in regards to his relationship with Chevalier. I’m personally intrigued to play his route after clearing this ending, although it hasn’t yet been released at the time of writing this review.

In terms of spicy scenes, however, Chevalier’s Dramatic Ending was somewhat lacking. Typically the dramatic endings have more spiciness than romantic endings, but that wasn’t the case for Chevalier. Despite his domineering attitude and hints of steamy content throughout the main route, Chevalier’s dramatic ending will make you wait until the very end for some passionate payoff.

Honestly, I was surprised at how plot-heavy the ending was, considering the slow pacing of the previous chapters. Having some of the plot resolve in the main route would have allowed the writers to slow down through the ending, and maybe even incorporate a few more passionate moments to round it off.

There were also some plot points that got skipped over, which I’ll admit weren’t so essential that they couldn’t be skipped over, but it felt odd to rush through these parts after spending so long with MC pining and feeling sorry for herself in the preceding chapters.

However, despite these criticisms, I actually thoroughly enjoyed Chevalier’s dramatic ending. I was grateful for the pick up of pacing and the non-romantic plot resolution was exciting and action-packed. The initial discomfort was quickly replaced by Chevalier’s own brand of ‘dashing-hero’, which I absolutely loved.

As with the rest of his route, there were parts I liked and disliked. The highlights for me were the resolution for Clause 99 – which was my favourite take on this plot point so far – and the way the rescue scenes had me on the edge of my seat. I would have liked some more spicy content – particularly in the premium story – but the romantic, intimate moments felt especially sweet after the hard road it took to get there.

Recommendation: In short, if you’re looking for Chevalier to whisk you off your feet in a whirlwind ending befitting a fairy tale romance, then I recommend selecting his ‘Dramatic Ending’ for your finale.

Endings – Walkthrough

Dramatic

• Chapter 21 – His Side Story

  Player Choice: “Stall.” (+4/+4)

  His Side Story – The Tale of the Beast’s Decision
  Sweet: 2/5
  Spicy: 0/5
  Recommend: No

  I loved this scene in the main route, and I still enjoyed it from Chevalier’s perspective, but I didn’t feel that his POV added anything that would make it worth purchasing. It was mostly the same experience, save for a few lines of his internal monologue, but even these were already explained in the narration of the main story.

  If you loved this scene and want it saved to re-read later, then you may wish to purchase this side story; however, if you’d prefer to save your diamonds, then you won’t miss anything by skipping ‘The Tale of the Beast’s Decision’.

  Cost: 3 x Keys to His Heart or 300 Diamonds

• Chapter 22 – Intimacy Check

  Player Choice: “I’m rooting for you.” (+4/+4)

  Intimacy Check – Crest Rug – Chevalier (BP: 132)
  Required Intimacy will depend on how many routes you’ve already completed.

• Chapter 23 – Letter

  Player Choice: “Is there anything I can do to help you?” (+4/+4)

  Letter – A Letter He Gave to You Before the War Started
  If you’ve been using the walkthrough to gain maximum story points, you will have enough to unlock the letter without needing to use any items.

• Chapter 24 – Avatar Challenge

  Player Choice: “Please don’t stare at me like that.” (+4/+4)

  Avatar Challenge – Devour Me in Greed
  Sweet: 4/5
  Spicy: 4/5
  Recommend: Yes

  I typically recommend getting the premium stories in Ikemen Series endings, as they make for a nostalgic memento to revisit without needing to replay the same route and ending. They’re often more expensive, but even the normal version costs a lot of gold, so it’s worth saving up and splashing out for a longer, more romantic story.

  I would have liked the second half of the story to last a little longer, as the writers ended up spending more time on the plot than the romance; however, it’s still a fairly long premium story, and it captures the essence of the romantic climax of Chevalier’s Dramatic Ending.

  As I mentioned in the review of the ending as a whole, there isn’t as much spiciness as I would have expected, particularly from a character like Chevalier. This is also true for this premium story, which makes me wonder if the normal version has any spiciness at all. If you’re like me and wanting as much steamy content as you can get, I’d definitely recommend going premium for this story.

  Cost:
  Normal: Black Laced Dress Set (22,000 Gold or 500 Diamonds)
  Premium: Black Rose Dress Set (1,000 Diamonds)

• Chapter 25 – Photo, Card, & His Side Story

  Player Choice: “Thank him for the save.” (+4/+4)

  His Side Story – The Tale of Beloved Belle and the Rose
  Sweet: 5/5
  Spicy: 3/5
  Recommend: No

  This side story is twice the usual price as it’s fairly long compared to other side stories, and it comes with exclusive attire; however, I didn’t gain enough from the switch to Chevalier’s perspective to justify the higher cost.

  The scene is memorable and romantic, so Chevalier fans with diamonds to spare may wish to purchase it anyway, but unless you want a saved version of essentially the exact same scene as the main route, I don’t recommend forking out for the extravagant price tag.

  Photo & Card: Unlocks with 180+ Story Points (You’ll have enough points if you’ve been using this walkthrough for your player choices).

  Cost: 6 x Keys to His Heart or 600 Diamonds

• Epilogue

  Review: I highly recommend reading the epilogue for Chevalier’s Dramatic Ending. It’s a sweet, slice-of-life story that takes place some time after the events of his route, and it’s packed full of warm, fuzzy feelings.

  I also loved how it tied in with one of the scenes that took place earlier in his route–showcasing how far they’ve come by including a new layer of comfort and familiarity that’s only possible for a couple who have already made it through the trials and tribulations of falling in love.

  It’s romantic, a little sexy, and especially rewarding after a turbulent route of drama and heartache. If you’ve been following this walkthrough, you’ll be able to read it and unlock the letter without needing to use items – so I recommend indulging in a final epilogue with Chevalier for anyone who concluded his route head over heels for Rhodolite’s brutal beast.

Final Thoughts

I’m noticing a bit of a pattern in Ikemen Prince. I’ve played three routes to date (Leon, Nokto, and Chevalier), and each one has followed a formulaic story structure.

The more I sat and thought about each route, the more I realised I was having the same reaction to the story at the exact same chapter number (namely, I would become completely turned off the route at around Chapter 14). This coincides with the appearance of some kind of dramatic conflict, as plot hooks sown in earlier chapters rear their head.

Up until Chapter 14, I had been pleasantly surprised by MC’s characterisation in this route. I remembered finishing both Leon and Nokto’s routes with a sour impression of her personality, but I was pleased with how bold she was towards Chevalier, and how she’d shown insight and intelligence in her decision to push aside what she’d been told about his reputation, in an effort to properly understand him.

But, as Chapter 14 rolled around, MC once again became the immature, dense protagonist she had been before, who took ‘passive self-insert MC’ to a whole new, irritating level. I normally love self-insert otome games, but the fact that a significant portion of her inner monologue was just “I wish I could say or do something, but I can’t” was simply infuriating. 

Honestly, Chevalier’s character design was fantastic, which is one of the reasons why I’m so disappointed with his story. I had a similar issue with Nokto – I love the concept, and there’s so much potential, but it’s squandered by poor storytelling.

After finishing Chevalier’s route, I’m come to the realization that the issue isn’t in the writing itself. When I look back on each playthrough, I can identify several standout scenes that were successfully compelling on their own. But that’s the problem. They’re compelling on their own, but they don’t fit seamlessly into the overarching narrative.

I think what it comes down to is awkward pacing and a rigid, pre-determined structure. Individual moments can be packed with tension and emotion, hooking you in until you’re head over heels, but these are smattered between repetitive flashback montages, odd side-quests where the LI isn’t even present, and forced plot points that require characters to substantially slash their IQ to make them work.

But, despite these criticisms, I did enjoy Chevalier’s route. Out of the three I’ve romanced so far, I think Chevalier best suits the original concept of ‘Beauty and Her Beast’, and he’s in a close second-place behind Nokto in my personal ranking of the characters. 

I do believe there are enough redeeming qualities in Chevalier’s route to justify playing it, especially if you love a domineering kuudere who’ll make you work to find his deeply-buried heart. Honestly, if you’re into the same things as I am, his route is worth playing for the Chapter 10 premium story alone.

However, if you don’t like this type of character, then I don’t think you’ll find much to enjoy in Chevalier’s route. The story itself is weak, and MC is frustratingly incompetent, so his route is carried solely by the individual scenes that tick the boxes of Chevalier’s character archetype, and the dynamic he forms with the protagonist.

You’ll like Chevalier Michel if you like: Ono Yuuki’s top-tier voice acting; domineering love interests who’ll look down their nose at you; ice kings you have to thaw through perseverance and unconditional love; and all-powerful geniuses who can read your face so well it’s like they know your every thought…

Screenshots

Game Info

☆ Game name: Ikémen Prince: Beauty and Her Beast | イケメン王子 美女と野獣の最後の恋
☆ Developer: CYBIRD / Ikémen Series
☆ Publisher: CYBIRD / Ikémen Series
☆ Platform: Android, iOS
☆ Age Rating: 17+ / Mature
☆ More information: here!

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