Now & Then
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Now & Then Screenshots
Now & Then review
Dive into branching stories, steamy scenes, and replayable adventures
Ever stumbled upon a game that hooks you with deep choices and sizzling encounters? That’s Now & Then for you – the gripping adult visual novel from ILSProductions that’s got players raving on itch.io. I remember my first playthrough; those branching paths had me glued, chasing romance with Naomi or Sydney while unlocking hidden animations. Whether you’re new or replaying for that elusive threesome, this guide breaks it all down. From Chapter 11 updates to pregnancy reveals, get ready to master Now & Then and savor every intimate moment.
What Makes Now & Then Addictive?
Ever found yourself blinking at 3 a.m., wondering where the last four hours went, because you just had to see what happens if you side with Carol instead of Naomi during the argument in Chapter 7? 😅 Yeah, me too. That’s the unique magic of the Now & Then game. It’s not just a visual novel; it’s a relationship simulator where every choice feels like it carries the weight of a real connection. You get sucked into the lives of these characters, and before you know it, you’re planning your next playthrough to fix that one mistake you made three chapters back.
What makes it so compelling? It’s the perfect storm of branching choices Now & Then is famous for, combined with deep character development and a genuine sense of consequence. This isn’t a story you watch—it’s a story you build, brick by emotional brick. And trust me, when those bricks start tumbling down because you didn’t manage your Now & Then love stats properly, the heartbreak is real! Let’s dive into exactly what hooks us and how you can master this incredibly rich experience.
How Branching Choices Shape Your Story
At its core, the Now & Then game is powered by a deceptively simple system: almost every dialogue option and major decision tweaks hidden numerical values. Think of it as an emotional ledger. Choosing a comforting, supportive response with Naomi might give you +1 Love (Naomi). Making a snarky comment in the same situation could give you -1 Love (Carol) or +1 Conflict.
Here’s where it gets genius. These stats aren’t just for show. They are the invisible rails your story runs on. 👾
I learned this the hard way during my first playthrough. I was trying to be a charismatic “nice guy,” agreeing with everyone and avoiding tough choices. My stats became a mushy, lukewarm middle ground. By Chapter 10, the game subtly punished me for my indecisiveness. A key moment with Sydney fell flat because my relationship wasn’t strong enough, and a confrontation with Carol escalated because the conflict stat had quietly ticked over a threshold. The game didn’t flash a “GAME OVER” screen; it just presented me with a more lonely, contentious version of the story. My character felt isolated, and it was entirely my fault. That’s powerful storytelling.
The branching choices Now & Then offers aren’t about finding a single “right” path. They’re about defining who you are in this world and seeing how the characters react to that persona. Do you want a loyal, slow-burn romance? A fiery, complicated fling? Or perhaps you’re aiming for the ultimate Naomi Sydney threesome? That legendary scene is the pinnacle reward for a very specific, carefully cultivated set of choices across the entire game. It doesn’t just happen; you have to build toward it, which makes achieving it incredibly satisfying.
This system creates an insane amount of replay value. With 16 chapters and over 430 renders and animations in a single chapter like Chapter 11, seeing everything requires multiple save files. Savvy players create a save at the start of each chapter, experimenting with different dialogue trees to see where they lead. It turns one game into a dozen different stories.
Key Characters and Their Routes Explained
The heart and soul of any great story are its characters, and the Now & Then characters are some of the most memorable in the genre. They have depth, flaws, and evolving story arcs that change based on your interactions. Understanding who they are and what they want is key to navigating the game’s complex social web.
Let’s break down the core love interests and what makes their routes special:
| Name | Route Unlock & Style | Stat Impact & Key Mechanics | Special Scenes & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naomi | Primary route available from the start. Offers a “best friend to lovers” or more possessive path based on your choices. | Heavily impacted by early Chapter 1-3 choices. Key moments involve supporting her vs. others. Her “Love” stat is crucial for maintaining her route. | 🔑 Has a bi-curious option. Central to the famous Naomi Sydney threesome in later chapters if her bisexual path is unlocked and Sydney is romanced. |
| Sydney | Route opens after specific, bold choices in early chapters. Her path is more physically driven and direct initially. | Requires building “Passion” or similar stat early via daring choices. Conflict with Carol can affect her availability. | ⚠️ Has a major pregnancy story reveal. Must be romanced and have high enough relationship to unlock the pivotal Naomi Sydney threesome prerequisite. |
| Alice | Gentler, more emotional route. Unlocked by being kind, supportive, and choosing her in key moments of vulnerability. | Responds to “Care” or “Kindness” stats. Pushing too physically too fast can close her route. | 💖 Features a significant pregnancy reveal later in the game that dramatically alters her storyline and your responsibilities. |
| Carol | The “hard mode” route. Available from the start but extremely easy to mess up. Requires very specific, often counter-intuitive choices. | Extremely sensitive to “Conflict” and “Love” stats. Early decisions with Naomi directly impact your chances with Carol. | 🎯 Her route is less about wild scenes and more about a difficult, dramatic emotional connection. Getting her “good” ending is a major badge of honor for players. |
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Each character has multiple layers and flags that need to be triggered. For instance, unlocking Naomi’s bisexual curiosity is a subtle process of choices that make her feel secure and open, not just a single dialogue option. It’s this depth that makes consulting a good Now & Then walkthrough so tempting when you’re aiming for something specific!
Unlocking the Hottest Scenes and Animations
So, you’ve met the characters and understand the stats. Now for the big question on everyone’s mind: how to unlock scenes Now & Then is famous for? 🎬 The answer is always: through dedicated, consistent relationship building. The game’s most coveted moments are rewards for long-term commitment to a character’s path.
Let’s use the white whale as our example: the Naomi Sydney threesome. This isn’t a random event. It’s the culmination of perhaps the most complex relationship chain in the game. Here’s the organic path:
- Romance Naomi and make specific choices that open her up to bisexual exploration (often linked to making her feel like the “primary” partner).
- Simultaneously romance Sydney, building her relationship stat high enough to where she is fully invested in your character.
- Navigate the interpersonal drama between them carefully. You can’t have massive conflict with one while pursuing the other.
- If all flags are set correctly, the opportunity will present itself at a key moment in Chapter 15 or 16, serving as a dramatic climax to that particular relationship branch.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that requires balancing two sets of stats from the very beginning. This is why so many players use multiple saves! One save for a pure Naomi run, one for Sydney, and one dedicated to threading the needle for the ultimate trio.
Other major scenes follow similar logic:
* Alice’s intimate moments are gated behind high “Care” stats and choosing her during emotional crises.
* Sydney’s pregnancy arc only triggers if your relationship with her is at a committed level when the story reaches that point.
* Carol’s rare softer scenes require you to have navigated her defensive personality perfectly, often by choosing assertive but not aggressive responses.
Pro Tip: While mods exist that unlock all scenes, using them completely robs the game of its tension and payoff. The real thrill of Now & Then comes from the journey, the mistakes, and the eventual, hard-won success. A mod is like reading the last page of a mystery novel first. 🕵️♂️
The game’s structure supports this organic discovery. With 16 chapters, it allows relationships to breathe and develop. A choice in Chapter 4 might close a door in Chapter 12. This makes your first, blind playthrough a uniquely personal experience. Was your ending bittersweet? Did you end up alone? That’s your story, and it gives you a clear goal for the next one.
To truly master how to unlock scenes Now & Then style, you need to become a stat manager. Here are my top five pieces of actionable advice, hard-learned from many, many late nights:
- Save Early, Save Often, and Label Saves: Create a new save at the start of every chapter. Name them clearly (e.g., “Ch3_NaomiFocus” or “Ch5_SydneyPath”). This is your single most powerful tool for exploring branching choices Now & Then offers without restarting.
- Focus on One or Two Love Interests Max Per Playthrough: Jack of all trades, master of none—this leads to stat dilution and mediocre endings. Commit to a primary (and maybe a secondary) target from Chapter 1.
- Understand “Conflict” is Not Always Bad: With characters like Carol, some conflict is necessary for her route. Check a Now & Then walkthrough for character-specific thresholds so you don’t accidentally friendzone yourself.
- Pay Attention to Early Chapter Flags: The game sets crucial flags in Chapters 1-3 that determine which routes are even available later. Be decisive in these initial interactions.
- Keep a Notepad (Digital or Physical): Jot down major choices and their apparent outcomes. This helps you spot patterns and understand which dialogue options boost which Now & Then love stats.
The addiction of the Now & Then game comes from this beautiful blend of narrative ownership and strategic gameplay. It makes you care, then makes you work for the rewards. Whether you’re chasing a specific scene or just want to see where your own moral compass takes the story, it’s an experience that stays with you. Now, go load up that save file and tell a new story. Your perfect ending is out there, waiting to be discovered. 🚀
Now & Then stands out with its intricate choices, memorable characters like Naomi and Sydney, and those rewarding scene unlocks that keep you coming back. My own dives into multiple routes showed how small decisions lead to wildly different endings – from steamy threesomes to heartfelt reveals. If you’re craving immersive adult gaming, grab it from itch.io, experiment with saves, and chase every path. What’s your favorite route? Dive in today and let the stories unfold – your next obsession awaits.
