All Timed Choices Guide

The Freak Circus features 12 timed choices across Day 1 and Day 2. Hesitation is fatal — if you don't choose in time, the game defaults to a failure state that usually means death. This guide lists every single one.

How Timed Choices Work

Timed choices are indicated by a red countdown bar at the top of the screen. The bar shrinks from left to right. When it empties, the game auto-selects the worst possible option.

8-10s

Standard Timer

Most choices

Short Timer

Critical moments

Flash Timer

Life or death

💡 Pro Tip: Save immediately before any scene transition. Timed choices often appear without warning right after a scene change.

Day 1 — All Timed Choices

#1: Café — Rude Customer Confrontation

⏱️ 8 seconds

A man is harassing Pierrot outside the café. You must decide how to react.

Step in and defend Pierrot+30Best for Pierrot's route. Triggers his obsession.

Watch silently00Neutral. Both routes remain open.

Agree with the customer-50Locks out Pierrot's True Ending permanently.

⏰ Time runs out-20Treated as cowardice. Minor penalty.

#2: Circus Entrance — Harlequin's Greeting

⏱️ 8 seconds

Harlequin appears and offers to be your guide. He extends his hand.

Take his hand-1+2Enters Harlequin's preferred path.

Decline politely+10Neutral, slightly favors Pierrot.

Ignore him completely0-2Harlequin finds you boring.

⏰ Time runs out0-3Harlequin is insulted by your indecision.

#3: Main Tent — Pierrot's Knife Act

⏱️ 5 seconds

During Pierrot's knife-throwing act, a knife flies toward the audience. You must react.

Duck immediately00Safe. No affection change.

Trust Pierrot won't hit you+20Brave. Pierrot is impressed.

Scream in fear-2+1Pierrot is hurt. Harlequin is amused.

⏰ Time runs out00You freeze. The knife misses. No change.

#4: Night Show — The Food Offer

⏱️ 8 seconds

A Fool offers you circus food. It smells strange but looks delicious.

Eat it+10You pass out. Triggers Pierrot's Day 2 opening + Hidden Scene 1.

Refuse politely0+1Stay conscious. Triggers Harlequin's Day 2 opening.

Throw it away00Safe but misses content.

⏰ Time runs out00A Fool takes it back. No effect.

#5: Circus Exit — The Invitation

⏱️ 10 seconds

You receive the Circus Invitation. This is the point of no return.

Accept eagerly+1+1Both characters pleased.

Accept reluctantly00Neutral. Good for Truth path.

Refuse-1-1Can refuse up to 2 times. 3rd refusal = Game Over.

⏰ Time runs out00Auto-accepts reluctantly.

#6: Day 1 Finale — Chase Sequence

⏱️ 3 seconds

Something is chasing you through the circus tents. You reach a fork in the path.

Run left (toward music)+10Leads to Pierrot. He hides you.

Run right (toward laughter)0+1Leads to Harlequin. He distracts the pursuer.

Hide behind the nearest tent00Safe but no bonus.

⏰ Time runs out00CAUGHT. Instant Bad Ending.

Day 2 — All Timed Choices

#7: Morning — Escape the Chain

⏱️ 5 seconds

You wake up chained. A key is just within reach on the nightstand.

Grab the key quietlyFree yourself. Explore Pierrot's room for items.

Call for helpPierrot returns. Affection scene but you stay chained longer.

⏰ Time runs outPierrot returns and finds you struggling. Affection -1.

#8: Mirror Maze — Harlequin's Reflection

⏱️ 5 seconds

Harlequin's reflection appears in a mirror, beckoning you closer.

Look at the reflectionPierrot Affection -2. Unlocks Harlequin lore dialogue.

Look awayPierrot Affection +2. Required for Pierrot's True Ending.

⏰ Time runs outYou stare blankly. Pierrot Affection -1.

#9: Backstage — Carol Encounter

⏱️ 8 seconds

You find Carol, your coworker, dressed as a Fool. She doesn't recognize you.

Try to wake her upShe screams. Guards are alerted. You must hide.

Leave quietlySafe. Miss Carol's lore dialogue.

⏰ Time runs outCarol walks away. Missed opportunity.

#10: Jester's Play — The Murder

⏱️ 3 seconds

The Fool playing Columbina is killed on stage. How do you react?

Show horrorPierrot Affection +2. Natural human reaction.

Stay calmHarlequin Affection +2. He respects composure.

⏰ Time runs outYou freeze in shock. No affection change.

#11: Night — The Doctor's Offer

⏱️ 8 seconds

The Doctor offers you a sedative to 'help you sleep.'

Accept the treatmentTriggers Doctor's Cure ending (if conditions met).

Refuse firmlySafe. Continue to the final confrontation.

⏰ Time runs outDoctor administers it anyway. Bad outcome.

#12: Finale — The Final Choice

⏱️ 10 seconds

The climactic moment. Your choice determines the ending.

Route-dependent (see endings guide)Varies based on affection and route.

⏰ Time runs outDefault Bad Ending. The circus consumes you.

💡 Timed Choice Survival Tips

💡

Save before EVERY scene transition. Timed choices appear without warning.

💡

The 3-second flash timers are the most dangerous. There are only 2 in the game (#6 and #10) — memorize them.

💡

If a timer runs out, the result is ALWAYS negative. Never let the clock expire.

💡

On mobile, timed choices can be harder due to smaller tap targets. Consider playing on desktop for critical scenes.

💡

The final choice (#12) has the longest timer (10s) but the highest stakes. Read all options before choosing.

Master the choices, master the circus.

Affection System Guide How to Avoid Bad Endings