Now & Then
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Now & Then review
Master the Story, Choices, and Scenes in This Gripping Visual Novel
Ever stumbled upon a visual novel that hooks you with its realistic story and tough choices? That’s ‘Now & Then’ for me—a game by ILSProductions that blends everyday life drama with intimate moments. Released on itch.io, it follows your journey through relationships with characters like Naomi, Sydney, Alice, and Carol. From building love stats to unlocking steamy scenes and multiple endings, this guide dives deep. Whether you’re replaying chapters or aiming for that perfect threesome route, I’ve got the insider tips from my own playthroughs to help you navigate every twist. Let’s jump in and make your experience unforgettable!
How to Master Choices and Love Routes in Now & Then
Let me tell you about the time I almost ruined everything in Now & Then. 🤦♂️ Early in the story, I met Carol. She was kind, vulnerable, and my protective instincts kicked in. When the game presented a key decision about who to comfort, I chose her over Naomi, thinking I was just being a decent person. Big mistake. That single, seemingly small choice was the first step toward locking me out of Naomi’s route entirely. I didn’t realize it until chapters later, when her dialogue felt distant and opportunities for closeness vanished. The regret was real! I actually went back to an old save, losing hours of progress, just to fix it. That’s the power and the peril of the Now & Then choices system.
This experience taught me that Now & Then isn’t just a story you watch; it’s one you build, brick by brick, with every dialogue option and action. Mastering it means understanding the invisible love stats and the narrative crossroads that define your journey. This chapter is your blueprint to avoid my mistakes and master the story, choices, and scenes in this gripping visual novel. Let’s dive in.
What Are the Key Decisions That Shape Your Story?
At its heart, Now & Then is driven by a transparent yet delicate system of relationship points. Every major interaction with the core love interests—Naomi, Sydney, Carol, and Alice—can add or subtract a point from their hidden “love” meter. A +1 means you’re on the right track; a -1 can put a dream route in serious jeopardy. 🎯
But it’s not just about collecting pluses. The most critical choice in the entire game happens around Chapter 9: selecting your main lover. This isn’t a casual flirtation; this is you declaring who your character is most committed to. This decision has massive ramifications:
* It determines the primary emotional core of your story’s ending.
* It influences pregnancy reveals, a major plot point in the final act. Only your selected main lover (and Alice, due to story integration) will have a pregnancy revealed in the finale. Other characters like Sydney or Carol may have pregnancy scenes earlier in the game if you’ve pursued their paths.
* It gates access to specific, intimate endings and scenes tied to that character.
Think of it like this: you can be friendly with everyone, but you can only build a future with one. The game constantly checks these stats and your main lover flag to open or close doors. Want to know how to get on a specific path? It starts by consistently choosing them, especially in those early, pivotal moments.
Building Love with Naomi, Sydney, and Others: Step-by-Step
So, how do you navigate this web of affection? A great Now & Then walkthrough will give you a scene-by-scene breakdown, but understanding the philosophy is key. Here’s my step-by-step approach to building those crucial Now & Then love routes.
- Decide Early (But Save Often!): Before you even start, have a rough idea of who intrigues you most. Is it the resilient and complex Naomi? The bold and direct Sydney? This doesn’t mean you ignore others, but it helps you prioritize. And for the love of all that is good, save your game in multiple slots at every chapter start! This lets you explore without the fear of permanent regret.
- Consistency is King: The game rewards steady loyalty. If you want to know how to get the Naomi route, you need to choose her in almost every significant decision where she’s an option, especially in conflicts between her and another character. Flip-flopping will leave you with middling stats and a lonely ending.
- Understand Character Triggers: Each love interest has specific values. Carol responds to kindness and protection. Sydney appreciates honesty and a bit of boldness. Naomi values support and understanding her tough exterior. Alice’s route is more story-integrated but requires specific attention later on.
To make this practical, here’s a breakdown of some of the most critical early-game choices and their impacts. Use this as a cheat sheet to steer your story.
| Chapter / Context | Choice Option | Love Stat Impact | Key Outcome / Route Lock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 1: First Meeting | Comfort Naomi vs. Comfort Carol | Naomi +1 / Carol +1 | Critical early boost for either route. Missing Naomi’s here makes her path harder. |
| Ch. 3: The Argument | Side with Sydney vs. Defuse the situation | Sydney +1 / Neutral (others may react) | Directly boosts Sydney’s route; defusing is safer for other paths. |
| Ch. 6: Late Night Talk | Open up to Naomi vs. Keep to yourself | Naomi +1 / No change | A major intimacy moment for Naomi’s path. Essential for her route. |
| Ch. 8: Carol’s Crisis | Stay and help Carol vs. Go with the group | Carol +1 / Sydney or Naomi +1 (depending) | Significant boost for Carol. Choosing group may advance others. |
| Ch. 9: Main Lover Selection | Choose Naomi, Sydney, Carol, or Alice | Locks Main Lover Flag | The single most important choice. Defines ending and pregnancy finale. |
Unlocking Threesomes and Special Scenes – My Proven Method
Alright, let’s talk about the scenes everyone is curious about: the group encounters and how to unlock scenes in Now & Then that go beyond the standard routes. 🎭 The most sought-after is undoubtedly the Naomi Sydney threesome. It’s a fantastic scene, but it has very specific, non-negotiable requirements. Many players miss it because one condition is easy to overlook.
Here’s the proven method to unlock it:
1. Naomi Must Be “BI”: This is the secret sauce. Early in the game (around Chapter 4), you must encourage Naomi’s curiosity about Sydney during a private chat. If you dismiss it or are negative, this flag is not set, and the threesome option will never appear, no matter what else you do.
2. Reach the End of Chapter 16: This scene is not available on a first-time playthrough. You must complete Chapter 16, then use the in-game menu to replay from the start of Chapter 16.
3. Have Sex with Sydney in Chapter 16: During your replay, you must choose to be intimate with Sydney when the option arises.
4. Naomi Must Be Your Main Lover: Your main lover selection must be Naomi. If Sydney is your main, the dynamic changes and the specific scene may not trigger.
Pro Tip: If you’re following a Now & Then walkthrough and still don’t see the option, double-check that Naomi’s “BI” flag was set waaaay back. This is the most common point of failure!
For other special scenes, like the one involving Carol in Chapter 14, the requirements are usually based on having high enough love stats with the involved characters before reaching that narrative branch. The recent massive updates (Chapters 13-16) have added over 400 stunning new renders and 10+ animations, so there’s plenty of new content to discover by replaying with different love routes.
My personal take? What makes Now & Then addictive isn’t just the scenes—it’s the slow-burn, story-first pace. The tension in choosing between comforting Carol or supporting Naomi isn’t just about “+1”; it feels like a real human dilemma with consequences. That’s what makes unlocking those special moments so satisfying.
Actionable Tip to End On: If you have any interest in Naomi’s path, prioritize her from the very first choice. That initial +1 love is more important than it seems. It sets the tone for your entire relationship and opens doors that close quietly if you neglect her early on.
FAQ: Your Now & Then Questions, Answered
Q: I replayed Chapter 16 and met all the conditions, but the Naomi/Sydney threesome option didn’t appear. What went wrong?
A: 99% of the time, this is because Naomi’s “BI” flag was not set in the early chapter (around Ch. 4). You must encourage her curiosity about Sydney in that private conversation. This is a one-time trigger. If you missed it, you’ll need to start a completely new game to set it.
Q: Do all love interests get pregnant in the story?
A: No. Pregnancy reveals are tied to your main lover selection. Only the character you choose as your main lover (plus Alice, due to her deep story role) will have a pregnancy revealed in the final chapters. Other characters like Sydney or Carol may have intimate scenes that imply or lead to pregnancy earlier in the game if you are on their route, but the finale’s revelation is reserved for your primary partner.
Q: Is there an easy way to see all the scenes without replaying a million times?
A: Yes! The developers have confirmed that a final “Unlock All” feature will be included in the completed version of the game. This will allow you to access the entire gallery without needing perfect playthroughs. For now, your best bets are following a precise walkthrough and using multiple save slots to branch your choices.
There you have it—my full playbook for conquering ‘Now & Then,’ from nailing those pivotal choices to savoring every hidden scene. This game’s strength lies in its grounded story and replay value, keeping me coming back for different routes with Naomi, Sydney, and the crew. Whether you’re chasing the perfect ending or just exploring the drama, apply these tips and watch your playthrough transform. Grab the latest version on itch.io, start a fresh save, and dive in. What’s your favorite route so far? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and swap strategies!
