Now & Then
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Now & Then review
Discover gameplay, characters, and secrets in this captivating visual novel
Ever stumbled upon a game that pulls you into a web of choices, relationships, and steamy encounters? That’s Now & Then for you—a visual novel that’s got players hooked with its branching storylines and intimate character interactions. Released by ILSProductions on itch.io, this game lets you navigate love, conflict, and passion with characters like Naomi, Sydney, Alice, and Carol. From threesome unlocks to pregnancy reveals, every decision shapes your journey. In this guide, I’ll share my firsthand experiences playing through chapters, tips to avoid missing key scenes, and strategies to max out your playthrough. Whether you’re new or replaying for that Director’s Cut polish, let’s dive into what makes Now & Then a standout.
Unlocking the Best Paths in Now & Then
My first time playing through Now & Then, I was utterly charmed by Naomi. 😍 I made every choice I thought would win her over, only to hit a wall in Chapter 14. A seemingly innocent decision hours earlier had quietly locked me out of a crucial, intimate scene with her. I was devastated! That moment taught me a brutal but valuable lesson about this game: branching paths in Now & Then aren’t just suggestions—they are the entire narrative foundation. Your saves are your most precious resource.
This visual novel is a masterclass in cause and effect. Every dialogue option, every gesture of support, tweaks a hidden ledger of character love stats in Now & Then. Wanting to see everything, from the passionate Naomi route to the complex Sydney scene in Ch16, means understanding this system. Think of it as navigating a relationship web where pulling one thread vibrates the entire network. Let’s break down how to master these Now & Then choices and unlock the game’s deepest secrets.
How Do Choices Affect Love and Conflict Stats?
At its heart, Now & Then is a balancing act. Your primary tools are Love and Conflict stats for the main female characters—Naomi, Carol, Sydney, and Alice. Choosing to spend time with or comfort one character will often increase their Love while potentially decreasing another’s, or even raising a Conflict stat. It’s a delicate teeter-totter.
For example, early on, you might have to decide who to approach after a tense event. Picking Naomi might give her +1 Love, but Carol, who also needed you, gets -1 Love and a +1 to her Conflict stat, making her route harder to access later. This is the core of how to get the Naomi route: consistently prioritize her in key moments, even when it strains other relationships. Some stats, like Alice’s, are famously persistent and can carry subtle consequences across many chapters.
To visualize this, here’s a small sample of how pivotal decisions can ripple outwards:
| Choice Context | Naomi Love | Carol Love | Unlock Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Naomi after the argument (Ch7) | +2 | -1 | Essential for maintaining her primary route. |
| Help Carol with her project instead of meeting Sydney (Ch9) | 0 | +3 | Critical flag for Carol’s deeper trust scenes. |
| Side with Sydney’s plan (Ch12) | -1 | 0 | Boosts Sydney’s affinity; required for later intimacy options. |
| Check on Alice at the lookout (Ch10) | 0 | 0 | Raises hidden “Alice Trust”; affects her ending availability. |
The key insight? You cannot please everyone in a single playthrough. Embrace that! 🎯 Specialized runs focused on one or two characters are the way to experience the true depth of each story. This stat management is your direct tool for navigating the branching paths in Now & Then.
Which Character Routes Lead to Special Scenes?
This is where your careful stat-building pays off in spectacular fashion. The game’s most talked-about moments are often behind specific combinations of flags. Let’s talk about two major unlocks: threesomes and pregnancy revelations.
The Now & Then threesome unlock is a classic example of complex prerequisites. The most sought-after scenario involves Naomi and Sydney. To unlock this option, you need a perfect storm of conditions: First, Naomi must have confessed her bisexuality to you in an earlier chapter. Second, you must have already been intimate with Sydney in her prior scene. Third, you must have a specific save from Chapter 15 where both relationships are at a high point. Finally, when the narrative offers the option later, you must select Sydney to initiate the threesome. I learned this the hard way—in one playthrough, I had all the right stats, but because I hadn’t triggered Naomi’s BI confession flag, the option simply didn’t appear. The tension was there, but the path was closed. 😩 Once unlocked, this scene can be replayed post-Chapter 16 or viewed in certain endings if one of them is your main lover.
Then there are the Now & Then endings pregnancy moments. These are beautiful, conclusive story beats reserved for your primary romantic partner. If Naomi or Alice is your main love interest by the final chapter, their pregnancy is revealed in a poignant closing scene, wrapping up their arc. For Sydney or Carol, their pregnancy narratives are woven into the “Endings” chapter itself during the game’s final stretch. These moments feel earned, a direct result of your dedicated choices.
Tips for Accessing Threesomes and Endings
Ready to craft your perfect playthrough? Here’s the actionable advice born from my many, many hours of savescumming. 🧐
- Save Strategically and Often: This is non-negotiable. Create multiple save files before Chapters 13, 15, and 16. Chapter 15 is especially crucial for setting Now & Then threesome unlock flags.
- Use the Skip Function: On replays, hold down the Ctrl key or use the skip button to fast-forward through text you’ve already seen. It dramatically speeds up the process of reaching new branching paths in Now & Then.
- Isolate Your Goals: Dedicate a single playthrough to one primary love interest. Worry only about their stats and prerequisites. This focused approach is the simplest answer for how to get the Naomi route or any other.
- Await the Gallery Feature: The developers have announced an “Unlock All” gallery feature for the FINAL version. If collection is your goal, this will be a future blessing.
- Balance is for Endings, Not Paths: While balancing love and conflict stats is the secret to accessing the multiple ending variations, don’t try to balance love between characters mid-game. It will lock you out of the best scenes.
If you find yourself hopelessly stuck with a stat miscalculation, there’s a last-resort trick: Access the developer mode (usually by renaming a file—check the community forums for the latest method). This lets you manually adjust character love stats in Now & Then, acting as a repair tool for a playthrough you can’t bear to abandon.
The beauty of Now & Then lies in this intricate design. Every choice has weight, every stat a purpose. By understanding the system, you transform from a passive reader into an architect of stories, capable of unlocking every heartfelt, passionate, and secret moment this captivating world has to offer. Happy exploring! ✨
Now & Then stands out with its deep choice-driven narrative, memorable characters like Naomi and Sydney, and rewarding unlocks that keep you coming back for more. From balancing love stats to chasing those elusive threesomes and endings, every playthrough feels fresh and personal. My own dives into the game revealed how small decisions lead to big passions—don’t miss crafting your perfect story. Grab it on itch.io, experiment with saves, and immerse yourself today. What’s your favorite route? Share in the comments and let’s swap tips!
