Now & Then

Master choices, scenes, and endings in this captivating visual novel adventure

Ever stumbled into a visual novel that hooks you with steamy choices and branching paths? That’s Now & Then for you—a thrilling choice-based game where every decision shapes your relationships and unlocks wild scenes. I’ve sunk hours into it, chasing perfect endings with characters like Carol, Naomi, and Sydney. From fingering your way to extra love points in early chapters to nailing threesomes in later ones, this guide spills all the insider tips. Whether you’re new or replaying for that elusive gallery completion, stick around to level up your playthrough and savor every intimate moment.

How to Master Choices in Now & Then Game

Let me tell you about the time I completely botched my first playthrough of Now & Then. 🤦‍♂️ I was all in on Carol, thinking I was the smoothest post-apocalyptic survivor around. Then, in a crucial moment, I made what I thought was a harmless choice to chat with Naomi. Next thing I knew, Carol was giving me the cold shoulder, and I’d locked myself out of her most intimate scenes. My heart sank! That’s the magic—and sometimes frustration—of this game. Every decision isn’t just dialogue; it’s a direct investment into hidden stats that shape your entire story. Mastering these Now & Then choices is the only way to truly unlock its secrets.

What Makes Choices Impact Your Now & Then Playthrough?

Forget just picking the “nice” or “flirty” option. Beneath the surface of every conversation in this visual novel is a sophisticated point system that tracks your relationships. Your Now & Then playthrough is guided by four key stats: Love (romantic interest), Trust (emotional depth and reliability), Nerve (confidence for intimate moments), and Conflict (which can lead to dramatic break-ups or make-up scenes).

Think of it like this: the game is silently keeping score. Choosing to “Approach Naomi” might give you +1 Love with her, but it could also trigger a -1 Love with Carol if she’s watching. It’s a constant balancing act. These points act as keys. Want a passionate scene in a later chapter? You’ll need to have reached a specific Love threshold with that character. Need a character to trust you with a secret? Your Trust stat must be high enough. This system is what creates the game’s famous Now & Then branching paths—a single different choice in Chapter 3 can lead to a totally different set of scenes available in Chapter 10. My failed Carol run taught me that you can’t just wing it; you need a plan, which is where a solid Now & Then walkthrough mindset comes in handy.

Best Early Chapter Paths for Maximum Affection

If you’re aiming for a specific romance—be it Carol, Naomi, or exploring multiple connections—the foundation is laid in the first few chapters. Wasting early opportunities can make your goal much harder later. Based on many, many replays, here’s the golden rule: Focus is key. Scatter your attention, and you’ll end up with medium affection everywhere and miss the best content.

For a Carol-focused path, prioritize choices that show loyalty and protectiveness towards her in group settings, especially when Naomi is involved. For a Naomi path, support her more independent ideas and share lighter, bonding moments. The early game is about building that core Trust stat, which unlocks deeper, more vulnerable conversations later.

To help you visualize the critical early junctures, here’s a breakdown of some pivotal early Now & Then choices and their impacts:

This table is your cheat sheet for establishing direction. Remember, Now & Then affection points are cumulative, and these early bonuses compound!

Unlocking Kinks and Extended Scenes Easily

This is where Now & Then gets really interesting for adult players. 🎭 The game doesn’t just have “sex scenes”; it has elaborate, customizable intimate encounters that depend on choices you make during the scenes themselves. This is the core of any Now & Then sex scenes guide.

Let’s use a common goal: unlocking a threesome scene. It’s not just about having high Love with both characters. You need to have successfully pursued BI flags—subtle choices that indicate interest in a multi-partner dynamic with both women. In my playthrough that finally worked, I had to ensure that in previous one-on-one scenes with each, I selected dialogue that was accepting and encouraging of their connection to each other, not just to me.

Now, for the mechanics during a scene. When you reach an intimate moment, you’re often presented with action choices like “Finger,” “Oral,” etc. The game has a hidden “climax counter.” Here’s a pro-strategy: > Use each available action once before proceeding to the “main act.” If you can make her climax three times total during the scene, you often get a +1 Love bonus and unlock a more extended, detailed version of the scene. It’s about patience and attention, not just rushing forward.

This leads perfectly into how to unlock kinks Now & Then. Before or during major intimate scenes, you’ll sometimes get pop-up prompts asking about preferences, like Incest Play, Schoolgirl Play, or Butt Stuff. SAY YES! 👏 This doesn’t just alter the current scene; it sets a flag for the entire game. Agreeing to “Schoolgirl Play” might mean that in Chapter 12, Carol surprises you with a completely unique outfit-and-roleplay scene that is otherwise inaccessible. These kink flags are permanent for that save file and open up entire new Now & Then branching paths of adult content.

Speaking of Chapter 12, let’s talk about the infamous best choices Now & Then chapter 7. This chapter is a major turning point. After a tense group conflict, you often have to choose who to approach.

• If you choose “Apologize to Naomi,” you gain +1 Naomi Trust, which is vital for her most emotional later scenes.
• If you choose “Check up on Carol,” and have high enough Nerve, you might unlock a tender moment that can lead to a fingering scene, reducing her stress (and giving you -1 Nerve, as it takes confidence to initiate).

Chapter 7 is where paths truly diverge, so save before you decide!

Finally, my top advice for managing the incredible replay value:

• Save Often, and Label Saves: Before every major choice, save in a new slot. Name them “Before Ch4 Choice,” etc.
• Track Stats Mentally: Note when you get clear feedback (like a character blushing or getting angry). It clues you into stat changes.
• Embrace the Grind (for fun): The game tracks how many infected you’ve beaten. Hitting 1, 5, 10, 15, and 25 kills unlocks hilarious, boastful dialogue options with your group. It’s worth a grind run just for the laughs!
• Use the Skip Feature: On repeats, hold CTRL to skip read text. It’s the only way to efficiently explore new Now & Then branching paths.

My Pro Tip (Almost Like a Mod): If you want to experiment with branching paths without the full replay grind, here’s a trick. Find a save file from a dedicated online community that’s right before the chapter you want to test. By loading that save, you can experience an entirely different route’s content without playing the 10 hours to get there. It’s a fantastic way to see the scope of the game’s writing.

To avoid my initial Carol disaster, steer clear of these common pitfalls:

• Flirting With Everyone Early On: It dilutes your affection points and can trigger early jealousy locks.
• Ignoring Nerve-Building Choices: If you always pick the safe dialog, your Nerve stat will be too low for intimate initiations.
• Saying No to Kink Prompts: You’re literally closing doors to unique future content.
• Not Saving Before Chapter 7: This is the biggest branch point. Not having a save here commits you to a path.
• Rushing Through Intimate Scenes: Always try different action combinations to find the “three climax” trigger for extended scenes.

Mastering Now & Then choices transforms the game from a simple story into a rich tapestry of your own making. Plan your path, be bold in your selections, and don’t be afraid to replay—the secrets you unlock are absolutely worth it.

There you have it—your roadmap to conquering Now & Then, from smart choices that rack up love points to unlocking those steamy threesomes and perfect endings. I remember my breakthrough run, finally getting Naomi and Sydney together after tweaking those BI flags; it felt epic. Dive back in, experiment with paths, and chase every scene. Ready to replay? Grab your save files and make those bold decisions. What’s your favorite route so far? Share in the comments and let’s swap tips to keep the adventure going.