Now & Then

Discover branching stories, steamy scenes, and replay secrets in this captivating visual novel

Ever stumbled upon a game that hooks you with its intricate choices and sizzling encounters? That’s ‘Now & Then’ for you – the adult visual novel that’s got players raving about its deep branching narratives and intimate moments. Developed by ILSProductions, this gem on itch.io lets you navigate relationships with characters like Naomi, Sydney, Alice, and Carol, where every decision shapes steamy paths and endings. I remember my first playthrough, staying up late chasing that elusive threesome scene – pure thrill! In this guide, I’ll share insider tips, chapter breakdowns, and strategies to unlock every secret, helping you master ‘Now & Then’ like a pro.

Unlocking the Best Paths in Now & Then

I was just trying to be a nice guy. 🥲 Early in my first playthrough of Now & Then, Carol was feeling vulnerable, and the game presented me with a simple choice: offer her a comforting hug or give her some space. I went for the hug. What could be the harm, right? Fast forward a few chapters, and that single, seemingly innocent gesture had quietly stacked +Love with Carol while subtly ticking down –Conflict. It culminated in a surprisingly intimate and tender scene I wasn’t even aiming for! It was my first real “aha!” moment—proof that every single decision in this visual novel is a breadcrumb leading you down a unique Now & Then path.

This is the magic and the madness of Now & Then. Over 16+ chapters, your story branches wildly based on a delicate balance of love and conflict stats. Want to pursue the enigmatic Naomi or reconcile with your past with Alice? Dreaming of that legendary Naomi Sydney threesome? It all comes down to the Now & Then choices you make. This guide is your roadmap to mastering those choices, unlocking every steamy secret, and discovering all the poignant Now & Then endings pregnancy revelations. Let’s dive in.

How Do Choices Shape Your Now & Then Story?

Think of Now & Then not as a single story, but as a web of potential narratives. From the moment you arrive in the survivor community, you’re on the clock. Your dialogue options and key actions are constantly adjusting hidden meters for each main character: Love and Conflict.

❤️ Love is fairly straightforward. Positive interactions, support, and romantic advances raise this meter for a specific character. High Love is the primary gatekeeper for most romantic Now & Then character routes and their accompanying scenes.

⚡ Conflict is the fascinating counterbalance. It doesn’t always mean “anger”—it can represent tension, emotional distance, or principled disagreement. Sometimes, lowering Conflict is necessary to get closer to someone. Other times, a certain level of Conflict might be required to trigger a specific confrontation or storyline branch.

The game expertly turns this into a “teeter-totter” of emotions. I remember one playthrough where I was steadily on the Carol path. In Chapter 8, a major decision arose about community leadership. Choosing to side with Carol’s pragmatic view gave me +Love Carol, but it directly contradicted Naomi’s idealistic stance, netting me –Love Naomi and +Conflict Naomi. In an instant, the game’s focus shifted. My previously warm interactions with Naomi became strained, and new, more confrontational scenes with her unlocked, while Carol’s route opened up further. It was a brilliant demonstration of how one major Now & Then choice can pivot your entire journey.

Pro Tip: Your save slots are your best friends! At the start of each chapter, create a new save. This lets you freely experiment with different Now & Then paths without losing dozens of hours of progress. The final version of the game even includes a fantastic “Unlock All” feature in the gallery, but there’s nothing like earning those scenes through your own choices.

Mastering Love and Conflict Stats for Key Scenes

So, how do you steer these invisible stats toward your desired outcomes? It requires a bit of strategy and foreknowledge. Each major character reacts differently to your decisions. Pursuing one often means, consciously or not, creating distance with another.

To help you plan, here’s a breakdown of how key decisions can impact your love conflict stats Now & Then. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it highlights pivotal moments that define your Now & Then character routes.

The key takeaway? You cannot max out Love with everyone on a single run. The game forces you to role-play and make tough calls. This stat teeter-totter is the absolute core of the game’s replay value. One playthrough feels like a genuine, personal story where you court one character. The next feels completely different as you explore rivalries and new alliances. It makes every scene you unlock feel earned.

What Are the Hottest Character Routes in Now & Then?

Alright, let’s talk about the destinations everyone wants to reach: the deep character routes and their most memorable scenes. Each Now & Then path offers a distinct emotional and romantic journey.

The Naomi Path 🏹
Naomi’s route is about breaking through her disciplined, guarded exterior. To start this Now & Then character route early, you must consistently show support for her leadership and survivalist ideals in the first few chapters. Her path is one of slow-burn trust that eventually erupts into passion. But the crown jewel for many is learning how to unlock the legendary Naomi Sydney threesome. Here’s the recipe:
1. You must have triggered Naomi’s “BI” flag earlier in the game through specific complimentary dialogue.
2. You need to have already unlocked and experienced an intimate scene with Sydney.
3. In Chapter 15, when given a pivotal choice about the group’s final stand, you must pick the option that aligns with both Naomi and Sydney. (SAVE HERE!).
4. In Chapter 16, a unique option will appear, leading to this iconic scene. It can also be accessed in certain endings if you have both as your selected love interests.

The Sydney Path 🌿
Sydney’s route is a journey of emotional healing and rediscovering intimacy. Raising her Love stat often involves respecting her space while offering unwavering support. Her scenes are intensely emotional and feel like a reward for gentle persistence. For her Now & Then endings pregnancy reveal, you must be firmly on her dedicated route by the final “Endings” chapter.

The Carol Path 🍳 & The Alice Path 📸
Carol’s route offers comfort and a sense of rebuilding a normal life, with scenes that feel domestic and warm. Alice’s path is a complex web of reconciling a deep past with a terrifying present. It’s fraught with emotional landmines but incredibly rewarding. For Alice, a major Now & Then endings pregnancy revelation occurs in the “Final Revelation” chapter, provided your Love stat with her is sufficiently high.

Completionist Tips for the Ultimate Experience 🏆
To see everything—all scenes, all Now & Then endings pregnancy moments, every branching path—you need a plan:
* Embrace the Replay: Intentionally make opposite choices in a new playthrough. Side with different people. Be a pragmatist in one run, an idealist in the next.
* Use the Gallery “Unlock All”: Once you’ve played through naturally a few times, this feature is a blessing for viewing any scenes you missed without grinding.
* Focus on One Per Run: Dedicate a complete playthrough to courting a single character. This is the most organic way to experience a full Now & Then path.
* Bookmark Key Decisions: Use a guide or your own notes to mark the big chapter decisions (like Ch. 5, 8, 12, 15) where the story branches most significantly.

FAQ: Your Quick Guide to Common Unlocks

• Q: How do I trigger the Naomi/Sydney threesome scene?

  • A: Ensure Naomi’s bisexuality flag is set (through early compliments), have prior intimacy with Sydney, make the aligned choice in Chapter 15, and look for the special option in Chapter 16 or the endings.

• Q: When do pregnancy reveals happen?

  • A: For Naomi and Alice, it’s in the “Final Revelation” chapter. For Sydney and Carol, it’s during the dedicated “Endings” chapter, contingent on being on their high-love route.

• Q: Can I romance multiple characters in one ending?

  • A: While you can have high stats with multiple people, the true “ending” typically locks in based on your highest Love/lowest Conflict stat with one character. The threesome is a notable, special exception.

• Q: What’s the fastest way to see all the scenes?

  • A: Use multiple save files at chapter starts to branch manually, and don’t be shy about using the final game’s “Unlock All” gallery feature after your initial playthroughs.

The true genius of Now & Then is that it makes you care about the math. Those love conflict stats stop being just numbers and become the emotional pulse of your story. Every point of Love earned or Conflict incurred changes the dialogue, the possibilities, and the connections. So save often, choose boldly, and enjoy the incredible depth of stories waiting for you on every Now & Then path. Your next unforgettable choice is just a click away.

There you have it – your roadmap to conquering ‘Now & Then’, from stat-savvy choices to those unforgettable intimate highs. Whether you’re romancing Naomi, chasing Sydney’s wild side, or exploring every branch, this game rewards patience and replay. I dove back in after my first run and uncovered scenes I missed, making it endlessly addictive. Ready to level up your experience? Grab it on itch.io, start a fresh save, and chase those secrets. What’s your favorite route? Drop a comment below – let’s swap stories!