Now & Then

Master Choices, Scenes, and Endings in This Gripping Adult Game

Ever stumbled into a visual novel that hooks you with steamy choices and branching stories? That’s Now & Then for you—a choice-based adult game where every decision shapes your path through intense relationships and wild encounters. Developed by ILSProductions, this gem blends narrative depth with explicit scenes featuring characters like Carol, Naomi, Sydney, and Alice. I’ve sunk hours into it, chasing that perfect playthrough, and let me tell you, nailing the points system for love, trust, and kinks is a game-changer. Whether you’re new or replaying for hidden content, this guide breaks it all down to help you unlock everything Now & Then has to offer.

How to Dominate Choices in Now & Then

Let me tell you about my first time playing Now & Then. I was so focused on the survival horror and the tense atmosphere that I treated every interaction like a life-or-death quiz. When Carol, bless her, was clearly seeking a moment of closeness and comfort early on, I brushed her off to go check a perimeter fence or something equally “practical.” Big mistake. 🚫 I watched those precious Carol love points slip away, and it locked me out of some incredibly tender and crucial scenes later. I learned the hard way that in this world, emotional connections are just as vital as ammo.

This game is a masterpiece of Now & Then branching paths, where every dialogue option and intimate decision ripples through the entire story. To truly master the endings and unlock all the gripping content, you need to understand the invisible scoreboard. This chapter is your ultimate guide to dominating those Now & Then choices.

What Are the Best Early Game Decisions?

The foundation of your entire playthrough is laid in the first few chapters. Think of points like a currency you’re investing in your relationships. There are four main types:

• Love: The deep, romantic connection. Hardest to earn, most rewarding.
• Trust: Belief in your judgment and character. Essential for unlocking backstory and support.
• Nerve: Confidence and boldness in intimate moments.
• Conflict: Disagreement and tension. Sometimes unavoidable, sometimes strategic.

Your early goal isn’t to max everything, but to make deliberate investments. For example, with Carol, being gentle and reassuring often yields Love or Trust. But sometimes, the game throws you a curveball. In an early intimate moment, choosing to finger her actually gives you Nerve -1. It’s not a “bad” choice—it’s a realistic one that reflects hesitation. The key is balance. To maximize points Now & Then, experts recommend a specific combo: choose Fingering once and Oral Sex once with Carol. This sets you up for +1 Love later and unlocks extra, heartfelt dialogue after three climaxes together. It’s about building a natural progression.

With Naomi, her guarded nature means Trust is king. A simple choice like ‘Apologize’ when you’ve overstepped can net you Naomi Trust +1. It shows respect. The early game is a delicate dance where being a mindful leader and a considerate partner pays massive dividends down the line.

Maximizing Points for Key Characters

This is where your Now & Then walkthrough mentality needs to sharpen. You’re managing a emotional teeter-totter between Naomi and Carol. Pushing too hard on one side can make the other unstable. The points system is your gauge.

For Carol, her path thrives on consistent, caring attention and shared intimacy. Missing key moments of vulnerability (like not being there for her after a nightmare) can stall her route. For Naomi, it’s about proving reliability and patience without being pushy. Her walls come down slowly, through actions that prove you’re a dependable leader, not just someone with an agenda.

To help you navigate, here’s a breakdown of some pivotal early Now & Then choices and their direct impacts:

Speaking of Chapter 7, many players search for the best decisions Now & Then chapter 7. This chapter is often a turning point. The choice to volunteer for a dangerous task is a huge Trust booster with Naomi. Meanwhile, ensuring you have a quiet, private moment with Carol to check in on her emotionally is crucial for maintaining her Love path. It’s a chapter that tests your ability to balance the group’s needs with personal relationships.

Unlocking Special Scenes and Kinks

Ah, the signature feature. This isn’t just about titillation; it’s about character customization and depth. Later in the game, you’ll be presented with a kink selection menu. This is your chance to shape the nature of your intimacy. The options—like Incest Play, Schoolgirl Play, Butt Stuff, or Nothing—are more than just flavors. They directly alter available scenes and character reactions.

Choosing Schoolgirl Play, for instance, will unlock specific, themed intimate moments around Chapter 12 that wouldn’t exist otherwise. It’s a way to Now & Then kinks unlock content that aligns with your (and your chosen partner’s) preferences. There’s no “best” choice here—only what you find most engaging for your story. My advice? Save before this selection and experiment on a different playthrough! It dramatically changes the color of certain scenes.

Beyond kinks, there are hidden challenges with hilarious payoffs. Ever wondered what happens if you keep fighting the infected instead of always sneaking past? Try beating them 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and even 25 times. The game tracks this, and the group’s exhausted, sarcastic dialogue after the 25th brawl is a comedy gem. 😂

Finally, a pro-tip for completionists: Use the scene skip feature! Once you’ve played through a chapter, you can skip directly to major Now & Then choices on subsequent playthroughs. This lets you explore every branching path without sitting through all the dialogue you’ve already seen. It’s the perfect tool for testing different decisions to see all the outcomes and finally craft your perfect ending.

Pro Tip: The game often autosaves before major choices. Don’t rely on it! Make manual saves at the start of each chapter. This gives you the freedom to branch out wildly and see where different Now & Then choices lead without losing dozens of hours of progress.

FAQ: Navigating Common Choice Pitfalls

Q: I keep losing Trust with Naomi no matter what I do. How do I fix this?
A: Naomi values competence and respect above all. Avoid choices that are overly aggressive, dismissive of the group’s safety, or that push her physically/emotionally too fast. Opt for supportive, strategic dialogue and give her space when she seems closed off. Building Trust is a marathon, not a sprint.

Q: Can I max out points with both Carol and Naomi in one playthrough?
A: It is incredibly difficult, and often impossible, to fully maximize both paths simultaneously. Many key plot decisions will favor one character’s values over the other’s. The game is designed for replayability, encouraging you to pursue different Now & Then branching paths on separate saves.

Q: I missed an early intimate scene with Carol. Am I locked out of her Love path forever?
A: Not necessarily! While missing early opportunities makes it harder, the Now & Then system often provides alternative moments to gain points later. However, consistently neglecting her or making choices that create high Conflict may eventually close the path. Consistency is key.

Q: Do the “kink” selections change the main story ending?
A: They primarily change the nature and occurrence of intimate scenes, not the core narrative conclusion (e.g., survival outcomes). However, they significantly alter the flavor and depth of your romantic subplot, making your chosen relationship feel unique to your playthrough.

Q: What’s the most common mistake players make with choices?
A: Playing as themselves in every situation. Sometimes, to gain points with a specific character, you need to choose what they want to hear or what they need, not what you personally believe is the “right” answer. Think from the character’s perspective to maximize points Now & Then.

There you have it—your roadmap to conquering Now & Then, from smart choices that rack up points to unlocking those elusive scenes and endings. I remember my breakthrough run, finally hitting that threesome with Naomi and Sydney after tweaking saves just right; it felt epic. Whether you’re romancing Carol’s fiery path, building with Naomi, or chasing pregnancies with Sydney, apply these tips and watch your playthroughs transform. Dive back in, experiment with kinks, and share your wildest endings in the comments. Ready to play? Grab Now & Then and start choosing your adventure today!