Now & Then
Play Now & Then
Now & Then Screenshots
Now & Then review
Dive into branching stories, steamy scenes, and replayable adventures
Ever stumbled upon a game that hooks you with its mix of heartfelt stories and intense intimate moments? That’s Now & Then for me—a captivating adult visual novel where your choices shape steamy relationships with characters like Naomi, Sydney, Alice, and Carol. Developed by ILSProductions, this gem on itch.io blends branching narratives, love stats, and exclusive scenes that keep you coming back. I remember my first playthrough, fumbling through Chapter 11 only to unlock a mind-blowing threesome replay—pure thrill! Whether you’re chasing pregnancies in endings or mastering conflict balances, this guide unpacks it all to maximize your fun.
What Makes Now & Then the Must-Play Adult Visual Novel?
I still remember the night I stumbled upon Now & Then on itch.io. 🕵️♂️ I was just browsing for something new, something with a bit more substance than your typical click-through story. The description promised branching paths and deep relationships, and let me tell you, by the end of the first chapter, I was utterly hooked. This wasn’t just a visual novel; it was a personal journey where my decisions genuinely felt like they mattered. That initial hook is what makes the Now & Then game a standout in the adult genre—it masterfully blends a gripping post-outbreak survival narrative with deeply personal, character-driven intimacy.
At its core, Now & Then is a testament to the power of player agency. Unlike linear stories, your adventure is uniquely yours, shaped by every dialogue option and key decision. This commitment to branching choices in Now & Then creates an experience you’ll want to revisit again and again, uncovering all the secrets and scenes hidden within its 16+ chapters. So, what exactly elevates this Now & Then visual novel from a fun diversion to a must-play masterpiece? Let’s dive in.
How Do Branching Choices Shape Your Now & Then Experience?
The magic of this Now & Then game lies entirely under the hood, in its brilliant stat-tracking system. From the very first conversation, the game is quietly noting your allegiances, your flirtations, and your conflicts through two primary metrics: Love and Conflict. These Now & Then love stats are the invisible architects of your entire playthrough.
Think of it like this: choosing to comfort Naomi after a tough moment might grant you “+1 Love (Naomi),” but if that action inadvertently dismisses Carol’s concerns, you could also get “-1 Love (Carol).” ⚖️ These points aren’t just numbers on a screen; they are literal keys. Major plot branches, intimate opportunities, and even who survives or shares your ending are gated behind reaching specific thresholds with the characters. I learned this the hard way on my first playthrough! I was too much of a people-pleaser, trying to keep everyone happy, and I ended up locked out of the most intense late-game scenes because my love scores were too diluted. I had to replay multiple chapters to fix it—a lesson in commitment!
To help you avoid my mistakes, here’s a look at how some early branching choices in Now & Then can set your path. These are crucial for establishing your primary relationship early on.
| Choice Context | Naomi Impact | Carol Impact | Outcome Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who to support in an early argument about group safety. | +1 Love | -1 Love | This is a major fork. Leaning here heavily defines your primary love interest path. |
| Deciding how to spend a rare quiet evening. | 0 | +1 Love | Smaller moments consistently add up. Don’t ignore them for Carol’s route. |
| Responding to a personal confession from a character. | +1 Love (if reciprocating) | 0 | These intimate dialogues are vital for unlocking deeper trust and later scenes. |
The system is deceptively deep. By Chapter 11, the game boasts over 430 renders and animations, but which ones you see is a direct result of the statistical story you’ve been writing since Chapter 1. This makes every save file a unique experiment, and mastering these Now & Then love stats is the true path to seeing everything this rich world offers.
Key Characters and Their Intimate Paths in Now & Then
The heart and soul of any great Now & Then visual novel are its characters, and this game delivers a compelling cast that feels real, vulnerable, and deeply engaging. Your relationships with them are the engine of the story. Understanding each person’s desires and triggers is the key to unlocking the most rewarding narratives. Here’s a breakdown of the central Now & Then characters and how to navigate their paths:
- Naomi: The resilient, caring heart of the group. Her path is about building deep emotional trust. A crucial early choice involves her sexuality—opting for her BI option is absolutely essential if you have ambitions for the legendary late-game threesome path. Her route is a slow, emotional burn that pays off dramatically.
- Sydney: Offers a more physically forward and passionate connection. Building a relationship with Sydney is central to unlocking several steamy scenes and is the other mandatory half of the major threesome scenario. Her path is intense and directly rewarding.
- Alice: The neighbor who brings a complex, dramatic energy to the group. Her route involves navigating tension and leads to one of the game’s most shocking revelations—a pregnancy that changes the stakes entirely.
- Carol: The pragmatic, sometimes abrasive voice of reason. Winning her over requires consistency from the very start. Early choices that align with her cautious worldview are critical, as her route can lead to a pregnancy reveal during the main story.
Based on my many, many hours of experimentation, here are my top 5 actionable tips for maximizing intimacy with these Now & Then characters:
🗝️ Pro Tip: Always create a named save file before any major group decision or one-on-one conversation. It will save you hours of replaying!
- Commit Early: Decide on your primary love interest in the first few chapters and focus your love points on them. Diffusing your attention is the fastest way to a mediocre, scene-locked ending.
- Explore Naomi’s BI Path: Even if you’re not sure about the threesome initially, select the dialogue that opens her bisexual option. It keeps the most complex and rewarding branch in the game available for future playthroughs.
- Don’t Neglect Carol’s Practicality: If Carol is your target, consistently choose the safe, pragmatic, and group-focused options. She values survival over sentiment early on.
- Pursue Sydney Actively: Her scenes are often unlocked by being bold and reciprocating her advances. Don’t be shy on her path.
- Pay Attention to Alice’s Mood Swings: Her path is volatile. Support her during emotional lows and be her anchor; it leads to profound loyalty and unique scenes.
Unlocking the Hottest Scenes: Tips from My Playthroughs
Ah, the million-dollar question: “How to unlock scenes in Now & Then?” 🙌 This is where your strategic management of love stats and careful pathing comes to its breathtaking conclusion. The game’s most coveted moments aren’t just handed to you; they are earned through deliberate, often sequential, choices.
Let’s talk about the crown jewel for many players: the Ch14/Ch15/Ch16 threesome with Naomi and Sydney. This isn’t a random event. Unlocking this requires a very specific recipe:
1. You MUST have selected the BI option for Naomi earlier in the game.
2. You must have previously unlocked and experienced intimacy with Sydney on your own.
3. You must have Naomi as your selected primary love interest.
4. Your love stats with both must be high enough to trigger the complex branch of trust and desire.
Missing any one of these ingredients means this major branch remains closed. I spoiled this for myself on my second run because I didn’t build enough history with Sydney while focusing on Naomi!
Similarly, the powerful pregnancy endings—which can occur during the story for Sydney or Carol, or as a revelation for Naomi or Alice—are direct consequences of your chosen path and key decisions at specific moments. These aren’t random; they are the culmination of your entire relational journey.
Finally, for the completionists who want to see every single render and animation without the grind, the game mercifully includes a “Unlock All” feature in the final gallery. This is a godsend for appreciating the sheer volume of art (that 430+ shots in Ch11 is no joke!) or for creating specific saves to explore alternative paths quickly.
So, why is Now & Then so wildly replayable? It’s because the branching choices in Now & Then create a living, breathing narrative ecosystem. One playthrough where you commit to Carol feels fundamentally different in tone and outcome from a devoted path with Sydney or a complex journey with Naomi. The Now & Then characters are written with enough depth that seeing the story from their perspective feels new each time. And with the constant, tantalizing question of “How to unlock scenes in Now & Then?” driving you forward, you’ll find yourself firing up a new save file, eager to make different choices, build different stats, and discover the intimate moments you missed. It’s a masterpiece of choice-driven storytelling, and it all started with a simple browse on Now & Then itch.io.
From those nail-biting branching decisions to unlocking epic threesomes and heartfelt endings, Now & Then delivers an addictive blend of story and passion that I’ve replayed countless times. My tip? Experiment with saves to explore every path—Naomi’s BI route and Sydney’s steamy moments are highlights. Ready to dive in? Head to itch.io, grab the latest version, and start crafting your perfect adventure. Share your wildest unlocks in the comments—what’s your favorite scene?
