Affection System Guide

The Freak Circus tracks a hidden Emotion Value for each character. Understanding this system is the key to unlocking every ending. This guide reveals the exact mechanics behind the curtain.

How the Affection System Works

Every dialogue choice, action, and interaction in the game adjusts a hidden numerical value for each character. This value ranges from -10 to +20 and determines which endings you can access.

-10 to -1

Hostile Zone

Bad Endings

0 to 9

Neutral Zone

Normal Endings

10 to 20

True Love Zone

True Endings

🎭 Pierrot's Affection Points

Pierrot responds to empathy, gentleness, and loyalty. He punishes rejection and fear.

Actions That INCREASE Affection:

Defend him from the rude customer (Café)+3

Offer a bandage when he's hurt+2

Choose empathetic dialogue ("I understand your pain")+2

Listen to his music in the Music Tent+1

Accept his rose (locks into his route)+3

Choose "I accept your sadness" in Chapter 3+3

Refuse to look at Harlequin's reflection (Day 2)+2

Wipe his tears in the final scene+2

Actions That DECREASE Affection:

Show fear or disgust at his appearance-3

Say "I want to go home" repeatedly-2

Flirt with Harlequin in front of him-4

Mock or provoke him during horror segments-5

Fail the Rhythm Minigame 3 times-2

Choose "Cheer up" instead of accepting his sadness-1

Agree with the rude customer (Café)-5

🃏 Harlequin's Affection Points

Harlequin respects boldness, wit, and fearlessness. He despises cowardice and boredom.

Actions That INCREASE Affection:

Play along with his jokes (Café)+2

Choose bold/sarcastic dialogue options+2

Follow his invitations away from the group+2

Solve his riddles correctly+1

Perfect score in Knife Throwing minigame+3

Choose "Believe" when forced to trust him+3

Find Jester's Original Mask (Day 2)+2

Match his wit in the final confrontation+3

Actions That DECREASE Affection:

Tell him to leave (Café)-3

Choose passive or begging dialogue-3

Show obvious fear during his games-2

Refuse to follow him when invited-2

Fail the Knife Throwing minigame-1

Be boring or predictable in conversations-2

Beg for mercy during confrontations-4

👁️ How to Check Your Affection Level

The game never shows you a number directly, but the Day 2 Update added visual indicators:

Glowing Brightly (Eyes on Main Menu)

High Affection (10+) — You are on track for a True Ending.

Normal/Dull Eyes

Neutral Affection (0-9) — Normal Ending territory.

Dark/Shadowed Eyes

Low Affection (below 0) — Danger! Bad Ending incoming.

💡 Pro Tip: In-game, characters' body language also changes. Pierrot's heart-shaped eyes appear more frequently at high affection. Harlequin leans closer and speaks more softly.

🎯 Ending Thresholds Summary

Ending	Pierrot	Harlequin	Special
Pierrot True Ending	10+	Any	—
Pierrot Normal Ending	4-9	< Pierrot	—
Pierrot Bad Ending	< 0	Any	Fear choices
Harlequin True Ending	Any	12+	Jester's Mask
Harlequin Bad Ending	Any	< 0	Passive choices
The Doctor's Cure	< 3	< 3	Medical Tent ×3
The Loop (Secret)	Any	Any	Both True + NG+
Truth Ending	< 8	< 8	All fragments + No roses

💡 Advanced Tips

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Consistency is key — flip-flopping between characters often leads to bad endings where neither saves you.

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The affection balance matters. If both characters have similar high scores, the game forces a confrontation that usually ends badly.

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Some choices give points to one character while removing points from the other. Plan accordingly.

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Red-colored text in dialogue usually indicates a dangerous or crucial decision that heavily affects affection.

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Save before every major dialogue choice. The difference between a True and Bad ending can be a single choice.

Now that you understand the system, pick your route!

All Endings Guide How to Avoid Bad Endings