Now & Then
Play Now & Then
Now & Then review
Master choices, unlock steamy scenes, and conquer every ending in this branching adult adventure
Ever stumbled upon a game that hooks you from the first choice, blending tense storytelling with intimate encounters? That’s ‘Now & Then’ for you—a choice-driven visual novel where your decisions shape steamy paths with characters like Carol, Naomi, and Sydney. I remember my first playthrough; one wrong pick in Chapter 7, and I missed a mind-blowing threesome scene. This guide dives deep into strategies to rack up love points, trigger kinks like Incest Play or Schoolgirl antics, and unlock every erotic ending. Whether you’re chasing pregnancies, alternate dialogues, or gallery replays, we’ll cover it all to make your sessions unforgettable.
How to Dominate Choices in Now & Then Visual Novel
Ever been absolutely sure you made the right choice in a game, only to watch your favorite character walk away forever? 😩 That was me during my first Now & Then playthrough. I was vibing with Naomi, thinking I was saying all the right things, when suddenly I got the “Just Friends” ending. I was crushed! I’d missed a crucial love point earlier by not noticing a subtle shift in her dialogue. It turns out, every selection in this visual novel is a delicate dance, and missing a single step can lock you out of the best content. But don’t worry—after countless loops and a notepad filled with stats, I’ve cracked the code. This is your ultimate visual novel walkthrough for mastering every choice and conquering every path. Let’s get into it.
What Makes Choices Impact Love Points and Endings?
The magic—and the madness—of Now & Then choices is that they do far more than just change the next line of text. Every click is a commitment, silently building or breaking your relationships. Think of it like a hidden spreadsheet running behind the scenes, tracking your every word and action.
Primarily, your choices affect two things: stats and flags. Stats are numerical values like Carol’s Nerve or Naomi’s Trust. A simple choice can result in Carol Nerve -1 or Naomi Trust +1. These numbers determine which branches of the story you can access. If you don’t have enough Nerve with Carol by a certain chapter, you might find a romantic option greyed out, forever locking you off her path.
Beyond stats, choices set invisible “flags.” 🚩 These are binary switches that remember major decisions. Did you agree to a risky plan? Did you share a secret? These flags open up entire new scenes, alter character dialogue, and are the key to unlocking the game’s many endings. The system rewards attention to detail; sometimes, choosing “Additional Dialog” isn’t just flavor text—it’s the only way to earn that critical +1 point you need later.
Pro Tip: The game doesn’t autosave at crucial junctures. Save often, and in multiple slots! This is the single best piece of advice for any Now & Then player. Name your saves descriptively (e.g., “Before Ch7 Naomi Choice”) so you can easily backtrack and explore Carol Naomi paths without restarting the whole game.
Best Paths for Carol and Naomi in Early Chapters?
Trying to romance both Carol and Naomi simultaneously is a classic rookie mistake. It’s like trying to ride two teeter-totters at once—you’ll just end up stuck in the middle. 🪑 To max points Now & Then for one character, you generally need to commit early and consistently. Here’s how to start strong on each path.
For a Carol-Centric Path:
Carol responds to confidence, protectiveness, and a bit of daring. From the very first interactions, choose options that show leadership and a willingness to take charge. Boosting her Nerve stat is crucial, as it reflects her comfort with taking risks alongside you. Be supportive but assertive. Early choices that align with her practical, survivalist mindset will pay off tremendously by the mid-game, making her more open to deeper intimacy. I found that focusing solely on her until our relationship was solidified was the best way to unlock kinks Now & Then specific to her route later on.
For a Naomi-Centric Path:
Naomi’s route is built on Trust and emotional connection. She values honesty, vulnerability, and moments of quiet reassurance. In early chapters, prioritize choices where you listen to her, share personal feelings, and offer comfort rather than just solutions. Her path is less about bold action and more about building a safe, trusting bond. Avoiding choices that seem dismissive or overly aggressive is key, as they can quietly drain her Trust stat without an obvious warning.
My personal “aha!” moment was realizing I had to pick a primary focus. In one playthrough, I teeter-tottered between them until I was locked out of both romantic endings. Balance is possible for a rare third route, but it requires surgical precision and a very specific set of Now & Then choices from the very beginning. For your first few runs, pick your favorite and pour those love points Now & Then into them exclusively.
Unlocking Kinks and Extended Scenes Like a Pro
This is where Now & Then truly becomes a branching adult adventure. The game’s intimate scenes are often tied to specific stat checks and prior choice flags. Missing one requirement might give you a shorter, vanilla scene, while hitting all the marks unlocks… well, the good stuff. 😉
Let’s break down the pivotal chapter 7 guide moment. This is a major branching point that defines your relationship trajectory.
Here is a quick reference for the key Now & Then choices in Chapter 7:
| Choice | Stat Changes | Scene Unlocked | Points Gained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apologize to Naomi | Naomi Trust +1 | Strengthens emotional bond path | Critical for Naomi Romance |
| Check on Carol | Carol Affection + | Fingering scene (if Nerve is high enough) | +1 Love Point if she climaxes 3x |
| Go See Naomi | Naomi Affection + | Masturbation view scene | +1 Love Point if she climaxes 3x |
The mechanics during these scenes are vital. For the “Check on Carol” or “Go See Naomi” scenes, you typically have interactive moments. To earn the coveted +1 Love Point, you often need to ensure your partner climaxes three times during the sequence. This usually involves alternating between actions like Fingering and Oral. Pay attention to their reactions!
Later, you’ll encounter the game’s kink selection menu. This isn’t just cosmetic; your choices here have lasting effects on future scenes and dialogue. Here’s what you need to know:
- Incest Play / Daddy Calls: 🎭 This option unlocks specific dialogue and role-play scenarios in intimate moments. It doesn’t change the core story but adds a layer of risqué flavor text.
- Schoolgirl Play: 👚 This is a future unlock tied to a specific choice in Chapter 12. Saying yes then will activate this kink for subsequent scenes.
- Butt Stuff / Anal: A more direct physical kink that, when selected, will make anal options available in relevant intimate scenes where the story allows.
- Nothing: Selecting this keeps all future intimate scenes “vanilla,” focusing on the standard options.
And let’s not forget the infamous infected fight! 🧟 This is a pure luck-based event where you pick a number between 1-25. Winning grants unique, often humorous, dialogue but no major stat changes. Don’t stress over it—just save beforehand if you want to see the winning text!
To truly master how to max points Now & Then, you must view the game as a web of interconnected decisions. Use a notepad or a simple text file to track major flags (“Told Naomi about X,” “Encouraged Carol to shoot”). Combine this with strategic saving, and you can experience every breathtaking, steamy, and heartbreaking moment this branching adult adventure offers. Finally, a word to the wise: the game features time loops, but avoid getting stuck in an “infinite loop” of indecision. Pick a path, see it through, and use your saves to explore the other branches. Happy looping
Diving into ‘Now & Then’ transformed my gaming nights into thrilling choice-fueled escapades, from Carol’s intimate climaxes to Naomi-Sydney threesomes that left me replaying for days. You’ve got the tools now—master those branches, chase every kink, and savor branching endings with pregnancies and gallery unlocks. My top tip? Experiment boldly; some stats teeter-totter in delicious ways. Ready to level up? Fire up the game, load a save, and craft your perfect adventure. Share your wildest unlocks in the comments—what’s your favorite path?